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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shaping (up)
Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Otherwise, the weekend is shaping up to be beautiful.
—Andrew Kozak, CBS News, 17 June 2026
And this year's El Niño is shaping up to be a strong one.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 17 June 2026
As watch parties have suddenly become America’s favorite pastime, 2026 is shaping up to be the Summer of Fandom.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 16 June 2026
Strawberry milk nails are shaping up to be one of summer’s biggest manicure trends.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 15 June 2026
And 2026 is shaping up to be no different.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 15 June 2026
That’s especially possible during a strong El Niño event, as this one is shaping up to be.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
As Connecticut residents spend more time outdoors this summer, officials said this year is shaping up to be historically bad for ticks, as climate change and human development have created the perfect habitat.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2026
Verb
Season 3 does not appear to be shaping up all that much better, as of yet.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Otherwise, the weekend is shaping up to be beautiful.
—Andrew Kozak, CBS News, 17 June 2026
And this year's El Niño is shaping up to be a strong one.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 17 June 2026
As watch parties have suddenly become America’s favorite pastime, 2026 is shaping up to be the Summer of Fandom.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 16 June 2026
Strawberry milk nails are shaping up to be one of summer’s biggest manicure trends.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 15 June 2026
And 2026 is shaping up to be no different.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 15 June 2026
That’s especially possible during a strong El Niño event, as this one is shaping up to be.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
As Connecticut residents spend more time outdoors this summer, officials said this year is shaping up to be historically bad for ticks, as climate change and human development have created the perfect habitat.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaping (up)
Verb
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The newly independent company can face weeks or months of pressure while its natural shareholder base is still forming.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
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In forming our union, the founders fell terribly short of the declaration's promise, leaving slavery intact, allowing states to restrict the franchise to white men who own property.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
How airlines and airports can do better Maglione and Riccobono both said that training and implementing new technology can go a long way toward improving the flying experience for blind travelers.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
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Crews successfully removed parts of the exterior wall, improving their ability to access interior fire areas and blast large volumes of water, the fire department said.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
Verb
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Disparate impact also lives under the Fair Housing Act, a separate law the Bureau cannot rewrite by amending Regulation B.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Michelle Ford, a soil scientist and wildlife biologist who owns EcoMaps, said Silverman over the past two months had addressed her concerns about wetlands protection by amending plans.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
There are several steps between hearing about change and actually behaving differently, and organizations often move ahead long before employees do.—
David Michels,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
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Others depend on third-place permutations, favourable routes through the draw and several rounds of the favourites behaving like favourites.—
Amelie Claydon,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
Verb
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In its letter, the LAPPL said after a thorough review of communications between the city there was nothing specific on reforming police oversight, police discipline or any other matter about the LAPD.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
18 June 2026
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Expanding low-cost finance, increasing local-currency lending and reforming international debt systems could significantly lower borrowing costs, said Nkhonjera.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaping (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaping%20%28up%29. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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