1
as in adjusting
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in planning
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 shaping
With pieces of his press operation in place, journalists became paramount to shaping Roosevelt’s legacy of conservation.
—
JSTOR Daily, 7 Nov. 2025
In 2010, Swift received the Hall of Fame's Hal David Starlight Award recognizing young songwriters who are shaping the craft's future.
—Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Nov. 2025
What was your involvement in shaping Eileen’s look?
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
These professionals are shaping a more balanced vision of success, guiding CEOs, athletes, entrepreneurs, and other high achievers to reach their potential.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
One is used to make a shrub or tree look better by shaping or removing long, stray branches.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
From there, his sound became one of the most sought-after in the industry, shaping hits that blurred the lines between grit and groove.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 6 Nov. 2025
The unsexy but world-shaping municipal bond market.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Debt is still quietly shaping the fortunes of small cities and towns across America.
—Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
JSTOR Daily, 7 Nov. 2025
In 2010, Swift received the Hall of Fame's Hal David Starlight Award recognizing young songwriters who are shaping the craft's future.
—Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Nov. 2025
What was your involvement in shaping Eileen’s look?
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
These professionals are shaping a more balanced vision of success, guiding CEOs, athletes, entrepreneurs, and other high achievers to reach their potential.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
One is used to make a shrub or tree look better by shaping or removing long, stray branches.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
From there, his sound became one of the most sought-after in the industry, shaping hits that blurred the lines between grit and groove.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 6 Nov. 2025
The unsexy but world-shaping municipal bond market.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Debt is still quietly shaping the fortunes of small cities and towns across America.
—Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaping
Verb
-
Djokovic’s ability to stay in the conversation — in part by adjusting his game to the kill-or-be-killed aggression Sinner and Alcaraz bring that Medvedev and Zverev cannot adopt — only compounds that.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
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The new study showed that every 1% increase in state-level firearm ownership was associated with a 6% increase in all-cause homicide and an 8% increase in the firearm-specific homicide rate in pregnant women, even after adjusting for other factors.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The next year, eleven journalists went on to form the White House Correspondents’ Association in response to rumors that the Congressional Standing Committee of Correspondents was planning on selecting which reporters were invited to presidential news conferences.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
7 Nov. 2025
-
They had been alerted that Running Fence was planning to enter the ocean despite having no permit.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Climate action -- including implementing and adapting solutions to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions -- is among the top goals of this year's conference.—
Matthew Glasser,
ABC News,
9 Nov. 2025
-
An ever-adapting fusion of flesh and technology, the Borg are a hostile force that seeks not just to eradicate humanity, but to enslave it, forcibly eradicating the sense of self and folding its victims into a homogenous hive mind.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Vietnam is preparing for damaging winds, flooding, heavy rain and storm surges in its central provinces including Danang, Quang Ngai and Dak Lak.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Two or three chefs work right in front of you, preparing each dish in the traditional omakase style.—
Aaron Randolph,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Still, Main Street entrepreneurs have shown remarkable agility in 2025—pivoting faster than big corporations when adopting new digital tools, experimenting with AI for marketing, and tailoring customer service to local tastes, Telyan says.—
Ashley Lutz,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
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People can lead healthier lives and use the feedback from their CGM to start tailoring their nutrition, which can help prevent diabetes in the future.—
Sohaib Imtiaz,
Verywell Health,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Perez does not break down training into physical and tactical work, instead designing complex exercises so players build fitness while practising real-game situations.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Bluegame made excellent use of the open-plan interior, designing a large, broad main salon into the footprint, with large windows.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Naval build-up China has built world’s largest navy, launching high-tech warships at a frenetic pace under Xi’s leadership, putting pressure on the United States and its Pacific allies to keep up.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Even calling it a magazine is a conscious way of trying to distinguish the work producers are putting months and months of effort into recording and writing from what podcasting has become.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The police department’s various districts are organizing fundraisers to send officers to National Police Week.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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Something that makes any trip easier is organizing all my devices and their charging cables into one place.—
John Lonsdale,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shaping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaping. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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