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
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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)
Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
While most of the squad have returned to their various European clubs, the select J-League representatives return home to play their part in the climax of what is shaping up to be another thrilling title fight.
—Jack Bantock, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Part of life moving on is appointing a new battalion chief, which was shaping up to be quite a fight, with Bode and Jake going at each other at the funeral.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
The upcoming edition of the biannual event is shaping up to be McIlroy's debut as captain.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
The cover sheet of the rankings stated that CIF-SS Division 1 is shaping up to be a 12-16 team division.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 15 Oct. 2025
This year is shaping up to become one of the hottest on record.
—Jon-David Regis, NBC news, 12 Oct. 2025
This season of The Golden Bachelor is shaping up to be the most anodyne viewing of the fall.
—Ali Barthwell, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025
Luna Stephens is shaping up to be quite the interviewer.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
Arkansas’ best offense in a decade is being wasted by a defense that is shaping up to be one of the worst in program history.
—Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
While most of the squad have returned to their various European clubs, the select J-League representatives return home to play their part in the climax of what is shaping up to be another thrilling title fight.
—Jack Bantock, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Part of life moving on is appointing a new battalion chief, which was shaping up to be quite a fight, with Bode and Jake going at each other at the funeral.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
The upcoming edition of the biannual event is shaping up to be McIlroy's debut as captain.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
The cover sheet of the rankings stated that CIF-SS Division 1 is shaping up to be a 12-16 team division.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 15 Oct. 2025
This year is shaping up to become one of the hottest on record.
—Jon-David Regis, NBC news, 12 Oct. 2025
This season of The Golden Bachelor is shaping up to be the most anodyne viewing of the fall.
—Ali Barthwell, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025
Luna Stephens is shaping up to be quite the interviewer.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shaping (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaping%20%28up%29. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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