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
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)
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
The high cost of power bills is shaping up to be a political issue in this year's midterm elections.
—Tamara Keith, NPR, 24 Mar. 2026
The 2026 season is shaping up to deliver Power & Light’s biggest and most immersive experience yet, said Jason Bradley, national director of entertainment & production at Live!
—Joseph Hernandez
march 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
This year is shaping up to be a big one for self-driving trucks.
—Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 21 Mar. 2026
Here’s a look at where to spot bluebonnets across Central Texas and how their growth patterns are shaping up.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
With two months to go until the primary election, Democratic candidates are trying to stand out in what's shaping up to be a crowded field.
—Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
With a new album on the way and a major festival appearance on the horizon, the coming months are shaping up to be a defining period for the artist.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 18 Mar. 2026
With the final full week of spring training underway, here’s how those roles are shaping up.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
Murphy, a senior center fielder, is shaping up as a potential first-round pick.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
The high cost of power bills is shaping up to be a political issue in this year's midterm elections.
—Tamara Keith, NPR, 24 Mar. 2026
The 2026 season is shaping up to deliver Power & Light’s biggest and most immersive experience yet, said Jason Bradley, national director of entertainment & production at Live!
—Joseph Hernandez
march 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2026
This year is shaping up to be a big one for self-driving trucks.
—Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 21 Mar. 2026
Here’s a look at where to spot bluebonnets across Central Texas and how their growth patterns are shaping up.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
With two months to go until the primary election, Democratic candidates are trying to stand out in what's shaping up to be a crowded field.
—Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
With a new album on the way and a major festival appearance on the horizon, the coming months are shaping up to be a defining period for the artist.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 18 Mar. 2026
With the final full week of spring training underway, here’s how those roles are shaping up.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaping (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaping%20%28up%29. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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