SHAPES (UP) Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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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

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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 (up)

Verb

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 Let’s take a look at how this one shapes up. — Doug Haller, New York Times, 26 Apr. 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 The brains of the operation shapes up as a Dimensity 7050 5G processor supported by 12 GB of system RAM (plus a further 24 GB of virtual memory if needed) and 256 GB of storage with microSD expansion to 2 TB. — New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shapes (up)

Verb

The company said additive manufacturing forms a key part of its long-term production strategy for the TJ150.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026
When comets come around the sun, the dust emitted as the debris collides with Earth's atmosphere forms a trail that creates fiery, colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA.

— Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 21 July 2026

Definition of forms

Verb

Instead of retraining an entire AI model, which can be extremely expensive, the system improves performance during generation.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026
As health alerts have been issued amid the wildfire smoke in New York and New Jersey, FIFA is not concerned about the impact of poor air quality on the World Cup final as the weather forecast improves, according to unnamed sources who spoke to ESPN.

— Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of improves

Verb

The measure amends the city's general plan and land use framework to add a citywide ban on data centers, according to city officials.

— Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 4 June 2026
The legislation amends the Brown Act to diversify and increase public engagement in meetings of local legislative bodies.

— Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026

Definition of amends

Verb

There’s that churro bread pudding, the one with a junkyard origin story that breaks down the churros and then reforms them into a dense and perfect block as powerful as an Avengers movie prop.

— Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Apr. 2026
Kentucky's General Assembly has passed House Bill 2, which reforms the state's Medicaid program.

— Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Apr. 2026

Definition of reforms

Verb

Unlike a felt-tip pen, which delivers a relatively consistent line, a brush liner behaves more like a tiny paintbrush.

— Marci Robin, Allure, 24 July 2026
Customers with almost no technical background can collect and label sensor data, run simulations, and validate that a robotic device or vehicle behaves safely in the real world.

— Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of behaves

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shapes

shapes (up)

shapes up

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“Shapes (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shapes%20%28up%29. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of shapes (up)

verb (1)

verb (2)

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