shapes 1 of 2

plural of shape
1
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

shapes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of shape

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
Noun
From airy mesh fabrics to sleek, low-profile shapes, this season’s trending shoes have a way of elevating an outfit without overpowering it. Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 21 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 These summer-flowering bulbs produce elegant, tall spikes of flowers that contrast well with the more traditional bloom shapes of dahlias. Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 June 2026 Designed to fit the tumblers people actually use, these straws come in functional sizes and shapes perfect for everything from water and iced coffee to smoothies. ABC News, 20 June 2026 Something called ‘mould tooling’ is needed for all the panel shapes and component parts, so more and different pieces require greater materials. Liam Tharme, New York Times, 20 June 2026 Dotted across Saudi Arabia’s dark green home jersey are symmetrical lavender squares or diamond shapes, a tribute to doorway decoration — namely geometric, triangular architecture — commonly seen in homes in the kingdom. Steve Douglas, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026 Summer is the perfect time to play with vibrant tones and abstract shapes. Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 19 June 2026 Don’t go over the top and try shapes or anything like that. Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Verb
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 The dominance of credit rating agencies such as Moody’s, S&P and Fitch and other Western financial institutions also shapes how investors perceive African markets, potentially limiting their access to bond markets, another important source of financing, analysts say. ABC News, 17 June 2026 Each guess provides information that shapes subsequent guesses, progressively reducing uncertainty around what the actual word is. Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 17 June 2026 Educational background also shapes how moms work. Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 17 June 2026 From billionaire founders and CEOs to investors, athletes and philanthropists, these are the industry disruptors whose influence shapes markets, industries and culture worldwide. Zoya Hasan, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 The spring-fed San Marcos River shapes nearly everything about the city, from tubing and paddleboarding to the deep sense of nostalgia many Texans carry for Aquarena Springs, the former springside attraction famous for its glass-bottom boat rides and mermaid shows. Jill Robbins, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shapes
Noun
  • But tools like Operator, the company’s earlier attempt at an agentic product that could access the internet and take actions on the web on a user’s behalf, like browsing sites, filling forms, and completing tasks autonomously, largely failed to take off with users.
    Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 22 June 2026
  • Hydrangeas are classic flowering shrubs that offer an array of beautiful colors, flower forms, and sizes.
    Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • 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.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 24 June 2026
  • Then these same superhero physiques appeared in rom-coms and dramas as regular-degular guys, muscles included.
    José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 13 May 2026
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).
    Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • 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.
    Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Daniella designs her own pieces and also curates work from other quality Caymanian brands—a one-stop shop for the best of what this island produces.
    Baz Dreisinger, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
  • The same physician who designs the hairline at the morning consultation is still in the room placing grafts in the afternoon.
    Ascend Agency, Denver Post, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • Its worse-sounding homicide figures are due to the ratio of deaths in a tiny population of less than a million people.
    Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
  • Cropped tops are flattering on petite figures, so this sleeveless top will look amazing on you.
    Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • To meet that demand, develop a travel wellness and performance plan built around personalized habits rather than generic advice.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 24 June 2026
  • While an initial spike in fuel costs caused a temporary pullback in longer-distance shopping trips in March, the data shows that consumer driving habits quickly rebounded by April, signaling strong offline shopping intent rather than a permanent shift to online channels.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 June 2026
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.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 26 June 2026
  • Its temperature sensor also monitors room temperature and adjusts airflow to ensure the home is never too hot or too cold.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • This would work much like corporate pensions that were phased out in favor of 401(k) plans more than 40 years ago.
    Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
  • That is likely to draw sharp rebukes from fiscal hawks and other conservatives who question whether billions in tax dollars should be used to pick up costs that would otherwise be paid by enrollees or by the supplemental insurance plans many purchase to do so.
    Julie Appleby, CBS News, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Shapes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shapes. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

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