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
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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
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Recent Examples of shape (up)
Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 27 Jan. 2025
The weather is shaping up to be great for a football championship game in late January in Kansas City, according to the National Weather Service.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2025
But under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, committees of the sort DOGE seemed to be shaping up to be have several legal requirements, including making all meetings publicly accessible and requiring a diversity of perspectives on the committee itself.
—Vittoria Elliott, WIRED, 24 Jan. 2025
The bubble is shaping up to be a mess at this stage, as multiple teams hold wins over one another, share similar losses, and own equally questionable resumes.
—Mark Schindler, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for shape (up) 
Verb
Goose’s concert is the latest in what is shaping up to be a fantastic spring and summer at Outlaw Field.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 27 Jan. 2025
The weather is shaping up to be great for a football championship game in late January in Kansas City, according to the National Weather Service.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2025
But under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, committees of the sort DOGE seemed to be shaping up to be have several legal requirements, including making all meetings publicly accessible and requiring a diversity of perspectives on the committee itself.
—Vittoria Elliott, WIRED, 24 Jan. 2025
The bubble is shaping up to be a mess at this stage, as multiple teams hold wins over one another, share similar losses, and own equally questionable resumes.
—Mark Schindler, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for shape (up)
Thesaurus Entries Near shape (up)
Cite this Entry
“Shape (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shape%20%28up%29. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
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