shaped (up) 1 of 2

verb (1)

past tense of shape (up)
as in formed
to take on a definite form this group of summer interns is shaping up to be one of the best we've ever hired

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shaped up

2 of 2

verb (2)

past tense of shape up
as in straightened (up or out)
to change one's behavior or character for the better told his son that if he didn't shape up, he'd be grounded for a month

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shaped (up)
Verb
In Texas, a heated and expensive race has shaped up between Democrat James Talarico, a state representative who is facing Republican Ken Paxton, the state attorney general. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 The home has shaped up since then. — Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar, Architectural Digest, 4 June 2026 Like so many Bay Area voters, Wagner opted to hold his vote and watch how the close race for governor shaped up — particularly on the Democratic side, where a throng of candidates competed fiercely for voters and resisted the calls of party leaders to drop out. — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 2 June 2026 The battle shaped up with 2,800 Americans facing 8,000 Hessians (mercenary soldiers from six German territories in the Holy Roman Empire. — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2026 Carl Wilson held a lead Tuesday night in the special election for a City Council seat on Manhattan’s West Side against Lindsey Boylan, in what has shaped up as a proxy battle in the ongoing power struggle between Mayor Mamdani and Council Speaker Julie Menin. — Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026 After the cold open, however, the episode shaped up to be a solid one. — Charu Sinha, Vulture, 15 Mar. 2026 Saturday’s matchup shaped up to be another back-and-forth affair. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026 The change in plans shaped up to be a huge hit. — CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaped (up)
  1. formed
  2. improved
  3. amended
  4. behaved
Verb
  • Among them, Federico Duran has formed his own company, El Sol Ermitaño, but retains a stake in the 30-plus year old company.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 15 July 2026
  • Blue Valley administrative and school board officials recently formed a housing committee to talk about the possibility of the district driving its own housing development projects and to research its options.
    — Taylor O'Connor July 15, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026
Definition of formed
Verb
  • The more important questions are whether customer outcomes improved, whether employees became more effective, whether the business became more adaptable and whether new value was created because of the technology.
    — Tony Bates, Fortune, 16 July 2026
  • The steaks improved with each visit, but purists may want to stick to the Japanese Wagyu.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of improved
Verb
  • But, citing a need for competition and consumer choice, Accra amended Next Gen Infraco’s license in March.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 17 July 2026
  • The difficulty is that Congress has repeatedly amended these rules over the last century.
    — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of amended
Verb
  • But the fanbase has been far better behaved in recent tournaments.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • Consistent mentions of gentleness, clear communication and how the dog behaved afterward are strong positive signals.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2026
Definition of behaved

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shaped
shaped (up)
shaped up
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Cite this Entry

“Shaped (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaped%20%28up%29. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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