Synonyms of shaping (up)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• forming
• crystallizing
• connecting
• linking (up)
• solidifying
• joining
• combining
• jelling
• coupling
• cohering
• fusing
• coalescing
• uniting
• unifying
• associating
• conjugating
• conjoining

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• breaking down
• decaying
• decomposing
• disintegrating

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• straightening (up or out)
• improving
• cleaning up one's act
• amending
• behaving
• reforming
• regenerating
• mending
• bettering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• regressing
• backsliding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shaping (up)

Verb

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

The rich, delicious-looking hue is making its way onto flats, which are quickly shaping up to be one of fall 2026’s biggest shoe trends—and Julia Roberts, Kate Middleton, and Katie Holmes seem to agree. — Grace Scollo, InStyle, 12 Sep. 2026

There are also chocolate brown ballet flats—a rich neutral that’s shaping up to be everywhere this season—plus deals from Sorel, Adidas, and Allswifit, the affordable brand shoppers often compare to Hoka. — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2026

The album is shaping up to be another genre-hopping entry in Tinashe’s catalog, with the singer moving between dance, pop and R&B without sounding solely interested in picking just one lane. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 10 Sep. 2026

Next week, the last time the House will be in session until after the midterm elections, is shaping up to be busy. — John Wilkerson, STAT, 10 Sep. 2026

New Hampshire’s premier Senate race is on after party leaders secured their top choices in what’s shaping up to be one of the tightest contests in the entire country come November. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 2026