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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shaping (up)
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 28 May 2026
Boasting a budget of around $120 million, Season 4 is shaping up to be the most ambitious shoot ever to use the festival as its central setting.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 28 May 2026
Refresh this page for the latest updates and a real-time look at how races are shaping up across Texas.
—Aaron A. Bedoya, USA Today, 26 May 2026
The travel baseball industry was rocked over the Memorial Day weekend by yet another shocking incident in what is shaping up to be one of the ugliest on record for youth baseball.
—Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026
The hire is the first significant move of what is shaping up to be a consequential offseason for the Lakers both on and off the court.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026
This summer is already shaping up to be the polar opposite of the last, when Chelsea exerted themselves deep into July to become Club World Cup winners.
—Liam Twomey, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Critics say event ‘hijacked’ by Christian nationalism Critics say Rededicate 250 is shaping up to promote Christian nationalism — whose adherents typically believe that the United States was founded as and should be a Christian nation.
—Peter Smith, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
The rising attention on Pratt shakes up a race that, until recently, was shaping up to pit Bass against a rival to her left rather than her right.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Fortune, 13 May 2026
Verb
Thursday was shaping up to be a competitive afternoon of baseball at Fenway Park, with the Red Sox and Atlanta Braves tied at 2-2 heading into the sixth inning.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 28 May 2026
Boasting a budget of around $120 million, Season 4 is shaping up to be the most ambitious shoot ever to use the festival as its central setting.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 28 May 2026
Refresh this page for the latest updates and a real-time look at how races are shaping up across Texas.
—Aaron A. Bedoya, USA Today, 26 May 2026
The travel baseball industry was rocked over the Memorial Day weekend by yet another shocking incident in what is shaping up to be one of the ugliest on record for youth baseball.
—Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026
The hire is the first significant move of what is shaping up to be a consequential offseason for the Lakers both on and off the court.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026
This summer is already shaping up to be the polar opposite of the last, when Chelsea exerted themselves deep into July to become Club World Cup winners.
—Liam Twomey, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Critics say event ‘hijacked’ by Christian nationalism Critics say Rededicate 250 is shaping up to promote Christian nationalism — whose adherents typically believe that the United States was founded as and should be a Christian nation.
—Peter Smith, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
The rising attention on Pratt shakes up a race that, until recently, was shaping up to pit Bass against a rival to her left rather than her right.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Fortune, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaping (up)
Verb
-
This time of year pollen can frequently be seen blowing through the air and forming clumps on the ground, as trees shed pollen as part of the reproductive process.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2026
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Flash freezing also prevents those pesky ice crystals from forming and turning your berries into flavorless ice cubes.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Companies across sectors continue to adopt AI tools in hopes of improving efficiency, reducing costs, and accelerating innovation.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
1 June 2026
-
Multi-generational engagement and transparency Technology is also improving communication between family members, executives and external advisers.—
Paul Westall,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Still, Sinner’s Wimbledon coup spooked Grand Slam organizers into amending their rulebook.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
24 May 2026
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Overland Park is looking at amending its policies to streamline certain housing projects or open up the possibility to develop accessory dwelling units or duplexes in areas that have been historically single-family neighborhoods.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Each individual is behaving sensibly.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
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Sure, teenagers behaving badly in groups is hardly a new thing.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Second, what is the plan for reforming development fees?—
Christina Mojica,
Oc Register,
26 May 2026
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The good news is that our representatives have recently focused on modernizing and reforming air traffic control through direct investment and smart policy.—
Scott Ramsden,
Sun Sentinel,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaping (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaping%20%28up%29. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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