SHAPING (UP) Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

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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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

While the ratings and programming landscape has changed dramatically over the intervening decades, this year’s playoffs (starting Tuesday) are shaping up as a back-to-the-future milestone for NBC Sports. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026 In the southwestern and central United States, an intense week of weather is shaping up. — Ben Noll, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2026 Many of November’s elections are shaping up to be tight races, with some recent polls indicating Democrats could come out on top. — Isabel Danzis, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026 At a time when the race to build the best frontier models is center stage, the competition to establish the next hardware platform is shaping up to be just as important. — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2026 But this postseason is shaping up to be especially meaningful for the 6-foot, 200-pound Murray and his teammates. — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026 The Proposition 40 billionaire wealth tax is shaping up to be the most expensive and contentious ballot fight this year. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026 Milano—which kicks off on September 22, the first day of the city's fashion week—is shaping up to be the brand’s most dazzling yet. — Glamour, 15 Sep. 2026 Cooler, clearer weather across Maryland Monday and Tuesday are shaping up to be be the nicest days of the workweek. — Cutter Martin, CBS News, 12 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaping (up)

Verb

The Chinese commerce ministry said the two countries agreed to further cooperate in the agricultural sector, forming a group under the Board of Trade established in May to optimize bilateral trade.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026
The duo had been friends in college and played together with Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal three years prior to forming in a band called Neon.

— Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of forming

Verb

In these cases, GLP-1 medications can provide cognitive benefits by lowering blood pressure and improving blood sugar control.

— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
The neuroscientist’s guide to improving brain function and rewiring your nervous system to learn new skills and behaviors.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of improving

Verb

The city’s planning director said amending the zoning code to allow data centers in Sacramento would require multiple public hearings.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026
The complex legislation — added by gutting and amending a bill known as Senate Bill 492 — was introduced less than three days before the legislative session was to end Monday.

— Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of amending

Verb

This confuses each Nyota but also those around them, who note that the Nyotas have rather quickly assumed new hairstyles but also that neither is behaving quite like herself.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
Bass said her review would be a top down evaluation that scrutinizes the roles of dispatchers, supervisors and others involved in responding to reports of people behaving erratically.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of behaving

Verb

The population consisted of workers transforming the strip of land to be habitable, even desirable, reforming the cluster into a model of hospitality.

— Erin Parish, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
The decade-plus of legal oversight of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department, criminal justice experts have said, offers insight into the difficulties of reforming law enforcement agencies charged with endemic racial bias.

— Yana Kunichoff, ProPublica, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of reforming

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shaping

shaping (up)

shaping up

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“Shaping (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaping%20%28up%29. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shaping (up)

verb (1)

verb (2)

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