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)
Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
Sunday is shaping up to be colder, with highs in the mid-30s and a chance of snow during the first half of the day before skies begin to clear Sunday night.
—Karl Hille, Baltimore Sun, 15 Jan. 2026
Regardless of the hiccup, Don’t Be Dumb is shaping up to be Rocky’s most creative musical endeavor yet.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2026
Some of last year’s more contentious issues, including voucher funding and Schools of Hope charter schools, already are shaping up to resurface.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
As the first week of candidate filing wound down Friday afternoon, the May primary ballot was shaping up with a mix familiar faces and newcomers.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
All told, this is shaping up to be a great year for Pedroia and his Hall of Fame supporters.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
So far, 2026 is shaping up to be another big season for Anderson.
—Rance Collins, Variety, 11 Jan. 2026
The Chronology of Water starring Imogen Poots, and action-comedy Trap House from Amazon and Aura Films starring Dave Bautista, Bobby Canavale and Jack Champion, this is shaping up to be another banner year for the film division.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
Opposition to the massive warehouses powering the artificial intelligence revolution is shaping up to be a major factor in the 2026 midterm elections.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026
Sunday is shaping up to be colder, with highs in the mid-30s and a chance of snow during the first half of the day before skies begin to clear Sunday night.
—Karl Hille, Baltimore Sun, 15 Jan. 2026
Regardless of the hiccup, Don’t Be Dumb is shaping up to be Rocky’s most creative musical endeavor yet.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2026
Some of last year’s more contentious issues, including voucher funding and Schools of Hope charter schools, already are shaping up to resurface.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
As the first week of candidate filing wound down Friday afternoon, the May primary ballot was shaping up with a mix familiar faces and newcomers.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
All told, this is shaping up to be a great year for Pedroia and his Hall of Fame supporters.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
So far, 2026 is shaping up to be another big season for Anderson.
—Rance Collins, Variety, 11 Jan. 2026
The Chronology of Water starring Imogen Poots, and action-comedy Trap House from Amazon and Aura Films starring Dave Bautista, Bobby Canavale and Jack Champion, this is shaping up to be another banner year for the film division.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaping (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaping%20%28up%29. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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