1
as in forms
the outward appearance of something as distinguished from its substance
that part of the state is known as the panhandle because of its shape
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in physiques
the type of body that a person has
some specialty clothing stores sell clothing that suits people that have a particular shape
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in adapts
to change (something) so as to make it suitable for a new use or situation
a dress shaped to the customer's particular figure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in designs
to work out the details of (something) in advance
over the winter the committee shaped the company's new marketing strategy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shapes
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026
These candy-like shapes in bright neon colors contrast quite nicely against a silver base.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2026
And growing up in a family where everything can be taken away from you in a second shapes you.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 8 Mar. 2026
Self-advocacy shapes stronger public policy.
—Jonathon Rondeau, Baltimore Sun, 8 Mar. 2026
The uncertainty itself shapes planning.
—Max Crowley, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2026
Dahlias offer showstopping blooms in endless shapes and colors and are easy to grow once established.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 5 Mar. 2026
Cloud shapes to watch for Once a thunderstorm develops, several types of clouds may form within the storm, indicating its strength and severity.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
There's also a stunning variety of patterns and petal shapes to choose from.
—Haniya Rae, Martha Stewart, 5 Mar. 2026
Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
How this shapes political attitudes, empathy and prevention outcomes remains underexplored.
—Arnaud Kurze, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026
Corporate delegation now shapes societal power.
—Victoria Bousis, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
The programming shapes a unique, electromagnetic wave that rises and falls abruptly and pulses rapidly.
—Scott Pelley, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
February 19 – March 20 Pisces, your presence shapes the room differently.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
The contrast between those two characters — one born into privilege within the regime’s hierarchy, the other from modest beginnings rubbing shoulders with the powerful — sets up a dynamic built around how Gilead’s class system shapes its youngest members.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2026
In a country where money shapes politics, Stiglitz is not holding his breath.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
The silver, 180-grit side of this file contours and shapes nail enhancements, while the white, 400-grit side smooths and removes imperfections on the nail.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
These slow-growing trees are reliable, come in an astounding variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, and offer vivid bright scarlet, crimson, orange, and yellow fall foliage.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026
These candy-like shapes in bright neon colors contrast quite nicely against a silver base.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2026
And growing up in a family where everything can be taken away from you in a second shapes you.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 8 Mar. 2026
Self-advocacy shapes stronger public policy.
—Jonathon Rondeau, Baltimore Sun, 8 Mar. 2026
The uncertainty itself shapes planning.
—Max Crowley, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2026
Dahlias offer showstopping blooms in endless shapes and colors and are easy to grow once established.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 5 Mar. 2026
Cloud shapes to watch for Once a thunderstorm develops, several types of clouds may form within the storm, indicating its strength and severity.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
There's also a stunning variety of patterns and petal shapes to choose from.
—Haniya Rae, Martha Stewart, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
And a resolve now shapes how Fritz approaches the sport.
—Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
How this shapes political attitudes, empathy and prevention outcomes remains underexplored.
—Arnaud Kurze, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026
Corporate delegation now shapes societal power.
—Victoria Bousis, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
The programming shapes a unique, electromagnetic wave that rises and falls abruptly and pulses rapidly.
—Scott Pelley, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
February 19 – March 20 Pisces, your presence shapes the room differently.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
The contrast between those two characters — one born into privilege within the regime’s hierarchy, the other from modest beginnings rubbing shoulders with the powerful — sets up a dynamic built around how Gilead’s class system shapes its youngest members.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2026
In a country where money shapes politics, Stiglitz is not holding his breath.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
The silver, 180-grit side of this file contours and shapes nail enhancements, while the white, 400-grit side smooths and removes imperfections on the nail.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shapes
Noun
-
Watched behind his closed eyelids the eruption of strange visual forms, shapes of light blooming and disintegrating, blue green and yellow.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Our goal is to present the most diverse program possible, spanning cultures and countries, storytelling forms and also social perspectives.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Thanks in part to Ozempic, thin is back in, with once-plus-size celebrities sporting svelter physiques, and some already-slim stars now verging on gaunt.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Part of this reflects the culture in South Korea, where rigid beauty standards have traditionally valued fair skin, slender physiques and hyper-feminine features.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Whether climbing Lookout Mountain or cruising through Golden’s downtown streets, the Maverick adapts smoothly and confidently.—
Sponsored Content,
Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Over time, your nervous system adapts.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The new state officer program is run by the Center for Health Care Strategies, a nonprofit that designs and implements policies to improve health outcomes for people enrolled in Medicaid.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Family-owned and operated in San Diego County since 1992, Greenway designs and builds outdoor environments that balance beauty with performance — water-wise planting, durable hardscape and lighting that extends a space well beyond daylight hours.—
Philip Jordan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Those figures include contracts that LAHSA manages for the county and the city, and LAHSA said the city was late in transferring it money, contributing to the delays.—
Andrew Khouri,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Talarico proved unusually eloquent, impressing figures as diverse as the podcaster Joe Rogan and the former President Barack Obama.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That’s thanks not only to overall market performance but consistent savings habits by 401(k) participants, Fidelity noted.—
Jeanne Sahadi,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Your blood sugar naturally rises in the morning, but habits can influence how much and how long.—
Caitlin Beale,
Health,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Inspired by human vision The researchers say the idea came from how the human eye adjusts to different viewing conditions.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Its laser dust detection highlights particles invisible to the naked eye, while the piezo sensor adjusts suction automatically for different floor types.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Next, the group plans to demand the county stop spraying along the Santa Ana River, which reaches the ocean on the south side of Huntington Beach.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
In Burbank, California, Kim Williams, owner of the Enchanted Florist, carefully plans her flower delivery routes to save on gas.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shapes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shapes. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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