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
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
The horizontal ruching adds a waist-cinching effect, while the compression fabric smooths and shapes.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
Wilcox had baked five types of bread in long and round and rectangular shapes.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Turns out, Barbie dream houses come in many shapes and sizes.
—Joyce Chen, Architectural Digest, 14 Feb. 2026
Patterns, pops of color, new shapes and styles helped define his brand under his tutelage.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
There are many tiles available in different shapes, sizes, and stones, too.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
Your daughter is at school cutting alphabet shapes out of paper when the virus enters her bloodstream.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
On a wooden surface dusted with flour, the baker Oleksandr Kutsenko skilfully divides and shapes soft, damp pieces of dough.
—Kamila Hrabchuk, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
Yiling Pan, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2026
But narrative change is still crucial — vaccine uptake, climate, destructive technology — popular culture shapes perceptions and outcomes.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
Sagittarius Mercury Mercury, which spends about two to three weeks in a sign, shapes your communication style.
—Maressa Brown, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
This group of muscles shapes your back from your shoulder blades down to your lower spine.
—Ciara Lucas, SELF, 15 Feb. 2026
According to University of Toronto psychologist Victoria Oldemburgo de Mello, who studies how technology shapes behavior and society, the study authors impressively combined tight control with a real-world setting.
—Simon Makin, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
Accreditation also shapes professional pipelines.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
While some see Nelly as an empathetic and motherly caretaker, others view her as a manipulative, calculating instigator who shapes the narrative to justify her own actions.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Nonverbal communication, also known as body language, is a valuable professional skill that shapes how others assess your presence and authority at work.
—Cnbc Make It Staff, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
Temperature, water content and the crystal shapes of snowflakes dictate a lot about which skis and wax are used during competition events, Schumacher said.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
The horizontal ruching adds a waist-cinching effect, while the compression fabric smooths and shapes.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
Wilcox had baked five types of bread in long and round and rectangular shapes.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Turns out, Barbie dream houses come in many shapes and sizes.
—Joyce Chen, Architectural Digest, 14 Feb. 2026
Patterns, pops of color, new shapes and styles helped define his brand under his tutelage.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
There are many tiles available in different shapes, sizes, and stones, too.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
Your daughter is at school cutting alphabet shapes out of paper when the virus enters her bloodstream.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
On a wooden surface dusted with flour, the baker Oleksandr Kutsenko skilfully divides and shapes soft, damp pieces of dough.
—Kamila Hrabchuk, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
Some pass quietly; others carry weight — psychological, historical, social — that shapes how people read the year ahead.
—Yiling Pan, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2026
But narrative change is still crucial — vaccine uptake, climate, destructive technology — popular culture shapes perceptions and outcomes.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
Sagittarius Mercury Mercury, which spends about two to three weeks in a sign, shapes your communication style.
—Maressa Brown, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
This group of muscles shapes your back from your shoulder blades down to your lower spine.
—Ciara Lucas, SELF, 15 Feb. 2026
According to University of Toronto psychologist Victoria Oldemburgo de Mello, who studies how technology shapes behavior and society, the study authors impressively combined tight control with a real-world setting.
—Simon Makin, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
Accreditation also shapes professional pipelines.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
While some see Nelly as an empathetic and motherly caretaker, others view her as a manipulative, calculating instigator who shapes the narrative to justify her own actions.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Nonverbal communication, also known as body language, is a valuable professional skill that shapes how others assess your presence and authority at work.
—Cnbc Make It Staff, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shapes
Noun
-
Seven Chinese artists were invited to reinterpret traditional lantern forms through contemporary installations.—
Yiling Pan,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Ginger is available in multiple forms, including fresh preparations, teas, culinary spices, and dietary supplements, and can be used to manage pain and discomfort associated with various inflammatory conditions.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
16 Feb. 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
-
Fiction does not compensate for a lack of information but makes room for—and adapts itself to—the formal possibilities and modes of engagement opened by other genres.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The team says that apart from proving the hardware works in space, these results offer insights into how the human brain adapts to the void.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The steady growth and dedication to uplifting strong women ultimately led to the partnership with Sergio Hudson, who consistently designs for empowering, confident women.—
Tara Larson,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Urthpact Innovations, which designs and makes sustainable products like compostable straws and cutlery, will receive $999,692.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The committee’s creation is the latest call for transparency and further investigation in the aftermath of the Justice Department’s release of a trove of Epstein files, which has sent shockwaves through several industries after revelations about the late financier’s ties to prominent figures.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
-
One of China’s most influential cultural figures, Wang is not simply a celebrity endorsement but occupies a rare position at the intersection of youth identity, entertainment, and fashion authority.—
Yiling Pan,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Symptoms include blood in stool or rectal bleeding; changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation or narrowing of stool that lasts more than a few days; unintended weight loss; and cramps or abdominal pain.—
Lauran Neergaard,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Find out how your cooking habits match up to the rest of the world.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The dining table then attaches and adjusts in between those benches for outdoor dining.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 Feb. 2026
-
In this case, start with a small amount and increase gradually as your body adjusts.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The audio-first company, which is owned by the Graham family — the Post’s owners before Bezos — plans to introduce original reporting, and will pick up some local beats, including sports and metro coverage.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Employer plans to hire were also at the lowest since 2009, the tail end of the Great Recession, when the jobless rate hovered near double digits, Challenger said.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shapes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shapes. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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