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)
Amanda Le, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026
This February is shaping up to be one of the warmest on record.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026
With control of Congress and several key governorships at stake, the 2026 midterm elections are already shaping up to hinge on a relatively smaller number of battleground states.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 24 Feb. 2026
Still, an inaugural two-goal loss against what is shaping up to be a Western Conference power could have been worse for a young coach and a particularly young starting lineup.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 23 Feb. 2026
This was shaping up to be an intriguing presentation.
—Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026
The summer is shaping up to be one of or the highest-grossing summers ever.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
The 2026 Bourbon and Beyond Music Festival officially dropped its lineup and its a spectacular lineup for the four‑day festival at the Kentucky Exposition Center, which is shaping up to be one unforgettable weekend.
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Feb. 2026
All of that to say, the environment in Gampel Pavilion on Wednesday night, with Creighton in town, is shaping up to be one of the best this season, potentially up there with the Arizona game back in November.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
Crescent bangs are shaping up to be one of the year’s biggest fringe trends, with iterations ranging from micro fringe to long, collarbone-grazing layers.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026
This February is shaping up to be one of the warmest on record.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026
With control of Congress and several key governorships at stake, the 2026 midterm elections are already shaping up to hinge on a relatively smaller number of battleground states.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 24 Feb. 2026
Still, an inaugural two-goal loss against what is shaping up to be a Western Conference power could have been worse for a young coach and a particularly young starting lineup.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 23 Feb. 2026
This was shaping up to be an intriguing presentation.
—Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026
The summer is shaping up to be one of or the highest-grossing summers ever.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
The 2026 Bourbon and Beyond Music Festival officially dropped its lineup and its a spectacular lineup for the four‑day festival at the Kentucky Exposition Center, which is shaping up to be one unforgettable weekend.
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Feb. 2026
All of that to say, the environment in Gampel Pavilion on Wednesday night, with Creighton in town, is shaping up to be one of the best this season, potentially up there with the Arizona game back in November.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaping (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaping%20%28up%29. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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