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
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 shapes
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
28 June 2026
Without the women’s looks to distract, Abe dug deep into the ’80s preppy archive, working with Brooks Brothers and looking at the era’s classic shapes through an edgier — and less-polished ’90s lens.
—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
28 June 2026
Many have irregular or pock-marked shapes, while others have a smooth crust from their time burning up in our atmosphere.
—
Adam Lark,
Scientific American,
28 June 2026
With curved teardrop shapes, floral accents, and leaf motifs, its design works especially well for the spring and summer seasons, though its abstract, ornamental pattern can be displayed during cooler months as well.
—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
27 June 2026
The system showed more than 95% accuracy in recognizing the letter shapes in mixed lighting conditions.
—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
27 June 2026
Dogs of all shapes and sizes entered the gates of Citi Field Thursday night with wagging tails, floppy ears and plenty of Mets gear.
—
Christina Cardona,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
Even a rough answer shapes every decision from here forward.
—
Lien De Pau,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Simple Geometry Geometric rugs with simple lines and shapes are undeniably versatile and easy to work into a room.
—
Melissa Epifano,
The Spruce,
21 June 2026
Lisa Gurry,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
As climate change increasingly shapes our daily lives, LGBTQ+ communities deserve a seat at the table, not only because we are affected by these challenges, but because our perspectives can help build more equitable and resilient solutions.
—
Isabella Montealegre,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 June 2026
Their beauty also shapes traditional dance in Rwanda, with graceful movements performed by women who extend their arms to mimic the cows’ horns.
—
ABC News,
27 June 2026
Taurus April 20 – May 20 A conversation shapes how your work proceeds.
—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
26 June 2026
That distinction matters because perception often shapes public behavior more than science.
—
Krutika Kuppalli,
STAT,
26 June 2026
This vast ecosystem of bacteria and microorganisms within our intestines shapes our health in profound ways that go well beyond digesting food — our immune system, mood, cognition, metabolism and much more.
—
Will Stone,
NPR,
22 June 2026
The Blue Ribbon Commission is an R&D vehicle to redesign a core system that shapes all our lives.
—
Dr. Gisele C. Shorter,
Hartford Courant,
19 June 2026
Your belief system is what shapes the world around you.
—
Usa Today,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Noun
As for ballerina shoes, the popular footwear comes in multiple colors, shapes, and finishes.
—
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
28 June 2026
Without the women’s looks to distract, Abe dug deep into the ’80s preppy archive, working with Brooks Brothers and looking at the era’s classic shapes through an edgier — and less-polished ’90s lens.
—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
28 June 2026
Many have irregular or pock-marked shapes, while others have a smooth crust from their time burning up in our atmosphere.
—
Adam Lark,
Scientific American,
28 June 2026
With curved teardrop shapes, floral accents, and leaf motifs, its design works especially well for the spring and summer seasons, though its abstract, ornamental pattern can be displayed during cooler months as well.
—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
27 June 2026
The system showed more than 95% accuracy in recognizing the letter shapes in mixed lighting conditions.
—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
27 June 2026
Dogs of all shapes and sizes entered the gates of Citi Field Thursday night with wagging tails, floppy ears and plenty of Mets gear.
—
Christina Cardona,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
Even a rough answer shapes every decision from here forward.
—
Lien De Pau,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Simple Geometry Geometric rugs with simple lines and shapes are undeniably versatile and easy to work into a room.
—
Melissa Epifano,
The Spruce,
21 June 2026
Verb
The passion to help all of these families shapes my conviction to accelerate progress across industries together.
—
Lisa Gurry,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
As climate change increasingly shapes our daily lives, LGBTQ+ communities deserve a seat at the table, not only because we are affected by these challenges, but because our perspectives can help build more equitable and resilient solutions.
—
Isabella Montealegre,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 June 2026
Their beauty also shapes traditional dance in Rwanda, with graceful movements performed by women who extend their arms to mimic the cows’ horns.
—
ABC News,
27 June 2026
Taurus April 20 – May 20 A conversation shapes how your work proceeds.
—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
26 June 2026
That distinction matters because perception often shapes public behavior more than science.
—
Krutika Kuppalli,
STAT,
26 June 2026
This vast ecosystem of bacteria and microorganisms within our intestines shapes our health in profound ways that go well beyond digesting food — our immune system, mood, cognition, metabolism and much more.
—
Will Stone,
NPR,
22 June 2026
The Blue Ribbon Commission is an R&D vehicle to redesign a core system that shapes all our lives.
—
Dr. Gisele C. Shorter,
Hartford Courant,
19 June 2026
Your belief system is what shapes the world around you.
—
Usa Today,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shapes
Noun
-
But honestly, thanks to the ubiquity of Ring cameras, data brokerage, and facial-recognition technology, sundry forms of surveillance are now a regular part of modern American life.
-
Humidity usually rises overnight as temperatures fall, which is why nights feel damp and dew forms by early morning.
Noun
-
There were also pristine Vespas from Piaggio's collection displayed like posing models to admire, and soaking up attention usually directed toward the nearby marbles with idealized physiques.
-
Suggesting that the media and fashion industries promote extremely thin female bodies and lean, muscular male physiques, the researchers concluded that has normalized unsafe body sizes.
Verb
-
The screenplay, written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, adapts writer-director Cesc Gay's 2021 Spanish film Sentimental, which was itself based on Gay's 2016 play, Los vecinos de arriba (The People Upstairs).
-
They’re made from a pillowy foam that adapts to the shape of your foot over time, offering custom support in all the right places.
Verb
-
Google co-designs the chips with fellow Club name Broadcom .
-
One40 Rooftop designs cocktails and food together to tell a story, while Salumeria Rosi offers traditional dessert pairings for an old-school Italian rhythm.
Noun
-
Based on those figures, Honsal said 731 dogs remain unaccounted for.
-
Kids will create origami figures, write wishes on them and hang them on bamboo.
Noun
-
Nearly 1 out of every 20 Americans could have reasonably expected tens of thousands of dollars in relief and shaped their spending habits accordingly.
-
That means the mix in your mouth today is not fixed, and habits move it in one direction or the other over time.
Verb
-
Instead of catering to automobile traffic like typical intersection signal systems, Jung's invention adjusts crossing signal times based on the slowest pedestrian's pace.
-
Its temperature sensor also monitors room temperature and adjusts airflow to ensure the home is never too hot or too cold.
Verb
-
Zada plans to shoot the movie first on a soundstage with real actors and will decide later which parts work better traditionally and what should be done synthetically.
-
In addition, the group plans to bury a time capsule on July 4 in Philadelphia to be opened on America's 500th birthday in 2276.
Cite this Entry
“Shapes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shapes. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
