shaping (up) 1 of 2

verb (1)

present participle of shape (up)
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

shaping up

2 of 2

verb (2)

present participle of shape up
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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shaping (up)
Verb
The stacked bob is shaping up to be one of summer’s biggest hair trends, thanks to its chic, shorter length and volume-boosting shape. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 23 July 2026 Without providing an exact number, the secretary’s office noted that voter turnout is shaping up to be pretty strong, as compared to previous cycles. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 22 July 2026 Baltimore is shaping up for a fairly typical midsummer week, with a mix of sunshine, heat, and humidity and a good chance of thunderstorms midweek. — The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Sun, 19 July 2026 The fall festival season is shaping up fast this week, with announcements imminent from Toronto and New York as well. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 July 2026 However, this is also shaping up as a beautiful day, despite forecasts predicting rising heat. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 14 July 2026 SummerSlam and All In are shaping up to be must-watch events. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026 Merlier has never been this close to green before — this classification is shaping up to be decided on the Champs-Élysées on this Tour’s final day. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 11 July 2026 How is 2026 shaping up to be for film and television in Oklahoma? — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaping (up)
  1. forming
  2. improving
  3. amending
  4. behaving
  5. reforming
Verb
  • My boss holds the pamphlet far away from the rest of her body—her index finger and thumb suddenly forming a sharp pincer.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
  • The document forming the company was signed by Randy Brown and Yoni Gontownik.
    — Brian Slodysko, Fortune, 20 July 2026
Definition of forming
Verb
  • Corson said raising the minimum wage and building more housing are both part of the solution for improving affordability.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
  • By selling more games digitally, the company has less need to manufacture physical boxes, and physical discs are eliminated completely, improving profit margins.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 22 July 2026
Definition of improving
Verb
  • Congress reacted to that ruling by amending the act to create the incidental take program.
    — Patrick Parenteau, The Conversation, 17 July 2026
  • Recently, the Illinois Register proposed amending the administrative code to update the definitions of the various alcohol categories solely by their production process — not their alcohol content.
    — Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of amending
Verb
  • Tamra’s story line with Vicki and Shannon is the only one that doesn’t have to do with children, though a few of them are behaving like children.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 24 July 2026
  • Regardless, men behaving in a repulsed or shocked way when a man dresses feminine or in women’s clothing is homophobic.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026
Definition of behaving
Verb
  • In Venezuela, perhaps the biggest barrier to reforming the health system is the cost.
    — Alfie Pannell, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
  • For his contributions to reforming education in Ladakh, Wangchuk was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award, a prestigious Asia-wide honor presented for selfless and transformative service to society, in 2018.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 July 2026
Definition of reforming

Browse Nearby Words

shaping
shaping (up)
shaping up
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Cite this Entry

“Shaping (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaping%20%28up%29. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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