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
• crystalizes
• solidifies
• links (up)
• coheres
• joins
• combines
• couples
• jells
• fuses
• coalesces
• unites
• associates
• 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

The Verdict This year’s Jockey Club Gold Cup shapes up as one of the deepest renewals in recent memory. —Jared Welch, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025

The youngest member, Keonho, at 16, is a key contributor to the group’s music videos, shapes up the group’s dynamic, and defines their current headspace perfectly — curious about the future, wanting the whole world to know their names. —Kristine Kwak, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2025