as in to form
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to improve
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 (up)
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
1 July 2026
This is shaping up to be the biggest one of all, and it will be twinned with the Seventh International Naval Review, for which 37 warships will assemble along the Hudson for inspection.
—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
30 June 2026
Durbin was shaping up to be among the biggest disappointments in a Red Sox season full of them, but the second-year third baseman has bounced back recently and put together a strong month at the plate.
—
Mac Cerullo,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2026
Now, the knockout round is set, with some blockbusters shaping up for the Round of 16 and beyond.
—
Becky Sullivan,
NPR,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for shape (up)
Verb
The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence has been shaping up as, well, frankly, somewhere between an embarrassment and a fiasco.
—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
1 July 2026
This is shaping up to be the biggest one of all, and it will be twinned with the Seventh International Naval Review, for which 37 warships will assemble along the Hudson for inspection.
—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
30 June 2026
Durbin was shaping up to be among the biggest disappointments in a Red Sox season full of them, but the second-year third baseman has bounced back recently and put together a strong month at the plate.
—
Mac Cerullo,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2026
Now, the knockout round is set, with some blockbusters shaping up for the Round of 16 and beyond.
—
Becky Sullivan,
NPR,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for shape (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shape (up)
Verb
-
Since its inception, social media has been a proving ground for tween fashion and identity, offering under-16s a digital canvas to experiment with their style and form online cliques around niche interests.
-
Since the band was formed, the group has sold over 100 million records worldwide.
Verb
-
Kyle Schwarber is threatening home run records, even as pitching continues to improve.
-
Jupiter enters your 6th House of Work and Health, encouraging kinder routines that improve well-being and lighten daily tasks.
Verb
-
Being a pro athlete doesn’t exempt you from behaving respectfully in society.
-
But Dumont wanted to look beyond insects to find out know how the spindle behaves in mammalian cells like ours.
Verb
-
That’s if District 3 Commissioner Rolando Escalona’s proposal to amend the city code passes July 9, when the Miami City Commission is slated to vote on it.
-
The Legislature can amend the plan and has the responsibility to approve it.
Verb
-
Second in Austria marked Verstappen’s best result of the season — bettering his third in Canada.
-
Hale, meanwhile, switched parties last year, arguing that running as a Republican will better his chances at beating Moore.
Verb
-
But AfD is capitalizing on the unpopularity of a government that is trying to reform the sluggish economy.
-
Most of the statue was melted down and reformed into musket balls, and several of these are on display in the opening section of the show across from four large intact pieces of the original.
Cite this Entry
“Shape (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shape%20%28up%29. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
