shape 1 of 2

Definition of shapenext
1
as in health
a state of being or fitness she was in good shape after having worked outdoors all summer long

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in physique
the type of body that a person has some specialty clothing stores sell clothing that suits people that have a particular shape

Synonyms & Similar Words

shape

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

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 shape
Noun
This Kate Spade Tote’s sleek shape and rich-looking hardware instantly caught my attention. Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 11 Feb. 2026 Batwing sleeves and a loose, forgiving shape leave plenty of extra fabric to cozy into, but ribbing around the entrance of the sleeves creates a snug fit to prevent cold air from touching your skin. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Landman understands that the country is shaped by dreamers. Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026 The two have a natural connection shaped by rigorous daily practice sessions. Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shape
Noun
  • That website's launch was memorably rocky -- only six people successfully signed up for health plans on the website's first day, according to internal Obama administration notes obtained by congressional Republicans -- a failure that became a political liability for the Obama administration.
    DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
  • This suggests that spider silk research could offer new insights into human health, particularly in understanding how biological signaling works at a molecular level.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The lesson came in the form of a book about eating less, handed to her by a male co-star.
    Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Berkeley has had some form of police oversight for decades, starting with the Police Review Commission formed in 1973.
    Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Because Myren is a dancer and athletic and toned in real life, the effects team needed to add a teenage doughiness to her physique.
    Simon Thompson, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Fennell, meanwhile, makes dashing use of Elordi’s imposing physique, as the 6-foot-5 actor towers over the 5-foot-6 Robbie in every scene.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Researchers adapted the playbook for studying young children to stage a juice party for Kanzi.
    Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
  • But experience elsewhere shows that traffic adapts quickly; congestion does not meaningfully increase, and navigation actually becomes more intuitive.
    Tim Giuliani, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The Chinese government reacted by telling Chinese citizens not to travel to Japan, threatening economic retaliation, and pulling the plug on meetings that were long planned, putting a pretty deep freeze on China-Japan relations.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Piagentini said Republicans plan to obtain and publish Davis’ shock probation decisions online so voters can better understand her rulings.
    Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Family members should watch for warning signs of common medical conditions in aging adults, such as dementia.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Microorganisms naturally require trace amounts of some rare earth elements, and researchers can adjust conditions so the microbes efficiently take them up.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The eerie dimming is possible thanks to an extraordinary bit of celestial geometry.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • This would not be possible in two or three dimensions, but the words are arranged in tens of thousands of them, a geometry that doggedly resists visualization.
    Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Zubimendi’s effort kissed the post on its way in, but Declan Rice and Kai Havertz had shots from similar distances whizz just past the frame of the goal in the 15 minutes before half-time.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Moments later, Carthen struts into the frame wearing a Patriot's jersey corset, an enormous fur stole, and knee-high Timberland stilettos.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 9 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Shape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shape. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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