as in forming
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in straightening (up or out)
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of shaping (up)
Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2025
The employment survey was shaping up as one of the most closely watched in years.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Between that and Brother Dude’s quest, this is shaping up to be one hell of a finale.
—Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
With features rumored from hip-hop heavyweights and the rollout already cementing its place in pop culture, Cardi’s sophomore effort is shaping up to be nothing short of an event.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 4 Sep. 2025
But 2025 is shaping up to be a much better year for the species in comparison.
—Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
But Tuesday, the first trading day of September, is shaping up to be a tough one, as investors grapple with a laundry list of worries for the month.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
Wednesday is shaping up to be a perfect summer day with mostly sunny skies and a high around 75.
—Steven Martinez, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Labor Day weekend is shaping up to be a jackpot for deal hunters, and Amazon’s lineup doesn’t disappoint.
—Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
Leans Democratic Maine is undergoing a similar gubernatorial race to the one currently shaping up in New Jersey.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2025
The employment survey was shaping up as one of the most closely watched in years.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Between that and Brother Dude’s quest, this is shaping up to be one hell of a finale.
—Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
With features rumored from hip-hop heavyweights and the rollout already cementing its place in pop culture, Cardi’s sophomore effort is shaping up to be nothing short of an event.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 4 Sep. 2025
But 2025 is shaping up to be a much better year for the species in comparison.
—Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
But Tuesday, the first trading day of September, is shaping up to be a tough one, as investors grapple with a laundry list of worries for the month.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
Wednesday is shaping up to be a perfect summer day with mostly sunny skies and a high around 75.
—Steven Martinez, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Labor Day weekend is shaping up to be a jackpot for deal hunters, and Amazon’s lineup doesn’t disappoint.
—Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shaping (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaping%20%28up%29. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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