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
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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)
Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2026
This is shaping up to be the most capital-intensive technology transition in modern history, and the gains from that investment are flowing disproportionately to those few who own the infrastructure behind it.
—Ravi Kumar S, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
That could change quickly in Q2, though, with the release calendar shaping up to be more evenly distributed but still very busy the first few weeks of spring.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026
With its blend of high-energy, thoughtful design, and a nod to Southern culinary tradition, Hero of the Seas is shaping up to be more than just a cruise.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2026
Right now, there isn't a significant severe risk shaping up with this, but strong storms along the dryline to our west could erupt as early as Tuesday.
—Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
The Colleen Hoover adaptation is shaping up to be a modest hit for the studio, which spent $25 million on the romantic drama.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 29 Mar. 2026
Sunday was shaping up as a two-person race between players who already have won this year.
—ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
Murphy, a senior center fielder, is shaping up as a potential first-round pick.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
The race is shaping up as a high-profile test of whether Democrats can regain a footing in Florida, where the party has not won a Senate seat since 2012 and where Republicans hold a voter registration advantage.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2026
This is shaping up to be the most capital-intensive technology transition in modern history, and the gains from that investment are flowing disproportionately to those few who own the infrastructure behind it.
—Ravi Kumar S, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
That could change quickly in Q2, though, with the release calendar shaping up to be more evenly distributed but still very busy the first few weeks of spring.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026
With its blend of high-energy, thoughtful design, and a nod to Southern culinary tradition, Hero of the Seas is shaping up to be more than just a cruise.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2026
Right now, there isn't a significant severe risk shaping up with this, but strong storms along the dryline to our west could erupt as early as Tuesday.
—Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
The Colleen Hoover adaptation is shaping up to be a modest hit for the studio, which spent $25 million on the romantic drama.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 29 Mar. 2026
Sunday was shaping up as a two-person race between players who already have won this year.
—ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
Murphy, a senior center fielder, is shaping up as a potential first-round pick.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaping (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaping%20%28up%29. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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