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
Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
There are 10,000 tomato varieties—of which only 600 are grown commercially—offering an astounding range of colors, shapes, and flavors.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 1 May 2026
These versatile evergreen shrubs have small, dense leaves that can be carved into sculptural shapes or coaxed into sophisticated hedges.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 1 May 2026
Durability Backpacks come in all shapes and sizes.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Conversation sets arranged in circles or L-shapes pull people into the space rather than lining them up against walls.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
For a colorful palette and contrasting shapes and sizes of flowers, reach for varieties like deep violet bellflowers, yellow daisy-like lanceleaf coreopsis, soft pink snapdragons, and sculptural yellow Indian dill.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026
The geological formation has been studied for decades, and that long record of scientific interest shapes how the company describes its role.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Shop the rug in three colors and in a variety of round, rectangular, and runner shapes.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 5 May 2026
Retailers who treat their deployments as a learning function, not just an efficiency play, will be the ones whose approach shapes adoption across the rest of the economy.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Such distinction shapes investment priorities, so while consumer-facing applications attract attention, foundational systems create the conditions for sustained expansion.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Implications for space travel The study adds new insight into how gravity shapes biology.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 May 2026
Over time, that normalization shapes behavior.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 1 May 2026
What makes this area different The Bay Area’s cultural diversity directly shapes the restaurant options around Levi’s Stadium.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
Tourism shapes national narratives, creates national symbols, and frames our perceptions of other societies.
—CBS News, 1 May 2026
Designers have a powerful role to play in reducing the apparel industry’s microplastic footprint—every material choice directly shapes environmental impact.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
At one point, Obama asked the architects to think of the works of Constantin Brancusi, the modernist sculptor known for his inventive shapes and textures.
—Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
There are 10,000 tomato varieties—of which only 600 are grown commercially—offering an astounding range of colors, shapes, and flavors.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 1 May 2026
These versatile evergreen shrubs have small, dense leaves that can be carved into sculptural shapes or coaxed into sophisticated hedges.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 1 May 2026
Durability Backpacks come in all shapes and sizes.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Conversation sets arranged in circles or L-shapes pull people into the space rather than lining them up against walls.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
For a colorful palette and contrasting shapes and sizes of flowers, reach for varieties like deep violet bellflowers, yellow daisy-like lanceleaf coreopsis, soft pink snapdragons, and sculptural yellow Indian dill.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026
The geological formation has been studied for decades, and that long record of scientific interest shapes how the company describes its role.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Shop the rug in three colors and in a variety of round, rectangular, and runner shapes.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
November 22 – December 21 A choice today quietly shapes what comes next.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 5 May 2026
Retailers who treat their deployments as a learning function, not just an efficiency play, will be the ones whose approach shapes adoption across the rest of the economy.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Such distinction shapes investment priorities, so while consumer-facing applications attract attention, foundational systems create the conditions for sustained expansion.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Implications for space travel The study adds new insight into how gravity shapes biology.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 May 2026
Over time, that normalization shapes behavior.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 1 May 2026
What makes this area different The Bay Area’s cultural diversity directly shapes the restaurant options around Levi’s Stadium.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
Tourism shapes national narratives, creates national symbols, and frames our perceptions of other societies.
—CBS News, 1 May 2026
Designers have a powerful role to play in reducing the apparel industry’s microplastic footprint—every material choice directly shapes environmental impact.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shapes
Noun
-
The host of Watch What Happens Live and executive producer of The Real Housewives franchise, Cohen is bobbing and weaving from one reality universe to the other in many different forms.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
4 May 2026
-
Compensation for all other forms of payment, including a voucher, credit, or Free Spirit points, is pending and will need to be determined through the bankruptcy process, the airline’s release states.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The trend also comes at a time when weight-loss medications are on the rise, more ultra-thin physiques appear to dominate red carpets and some social media users have built platforms off the outward pursuit of thinness.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The findings point to a system that adapts under stress rather than failing.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
1 May 2026
-
And while it’s often associated with sprawling garden beds, zucchini adapts beautifully to container growing.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
TikTok followers watched along as Jessica Kayll, who designs colorful silk robes, finished painting her dress in the days leading up to the gala.—
Beatrice Dupuy,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
-
Costume designs a mix original illustrations and innovation The costume department took a mixed approach to making what actors will wear, combining creativity with the original book illustrations.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The meeting between the two dignitaries will won’t include a livestreamed news conference like those the president has hosted with other international figures.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The large monetary figures Ingoglia unveiled during each news conference came from analyses conducted by the state’s Department of Governmental Efficiency team, or DOGE, which had requested budget information from and visited many municipalities across the state.—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Write down your thoughts, and then build habits to make this personal constitution come alive.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Your daily routine, work environment or even your mental habits could feel slightly off today.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Real-time obstacle detection means the K1 identifies and navigates around objects in its path, while dynamic cutting adaptation adjusts its approach based on terrain changes.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Doughty added that the band adjusts its set to match the diverse audience the festival attracts.—
Alex Distefano,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Today’s newsletter highlights David Scott’s daughter, Marcye Scott, plans to run in the special election to fill his unexpired term.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Sources told Variety at the time that Marvel plans to keep a small visual development team, hiring people on a project by project basis, and remains committed to working with visual development artists on its projects.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shapes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shapes. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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