Synonyms of shapes (up)

shapes (up) 1 of 2

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of shape (up)

as in forms

to take on a definite form

this group of summer interns is shaping up to be one of the best we've ever hired

Synonyms & Similar Words

• forms
• crystallizes
• connects
• solidifies
• links (up)
• joins
• coheres
• combines
• jells
• couples
• fuses
• coalesces
• associates
• unites
• unifies
• conjugates
• conjoins

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• breaks down
• decays
• decomposes
• disintegrates

shapes up

2 of 2

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of shape up

as in improves

to change one's behavior or character for the better

told his son that if he didn't shape up, he'd be grounded for a month

Synonyms & Similar Words

• improves
• amends
• reforms
• behaves
• cleans up one's act
• straightens (up or out)
• regenerates
• mends
• betters

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• regresses
• backslides

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shapes (up)

Verb

Below are Maxwell’s projections and a brief look at how Class 6A shapes up in 2026. — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026

The exact way that Chelsea’s defence shapes up around Lacroix will be intriguing. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 25 July 2026

Senate passage of the bill shapes up as a rare bipartisan legislative achievement when much of Republicans’ agenda has stalled. — Michael Casey, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026

As the two bond in short order, our previously flailing hero shapes up very quickly indeed, soon shedding his substance abuse problems and entering a healthy relationship with dreamy social worker Oscar (Diego Calva). — Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 May 2026

Get your popcorn, kick up your feet and get ready for what shapes up to be an epic showdown in the Final Four nightcap on Saturday night. — ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026

The 75th Florida Derby — a top race that has produced 26 Kentucky Derby winners — shapes up as this year’s biggest prep heading into the May 2 Run for the Roses. — Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026

Sunday shapes up to be more than a two-man race. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026

What shapes up as an intriguing seventh year under Coach Jordyn Wieber for the University of Arkansas gymnastics team gets rolling Saturday with the season opener at Minnesota. — Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026