as in formed
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1
as in adapted
to change (something) so as to make it suitable for a new use or situation
a dress shaped to the customer's particular figure
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in designed
to work out the details of (something) in advance
over the winter the committee shaped the company's new marketing strategy
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Recent Examples of shaped
David A. Bell, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
The show will play on a cross-shaped stage, placing the audience in the heart of the action.
—Ryan Brennan
april 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
This year, my resistance was aided by unbetterable presses dedicated to literature in translation, like the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute, whose books include prose as well as poetry, and Archipelago Books, a publisher of square-shaped, deliciously pastry-sized publications.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Most massive galaxies are spiral or elliptical shaped.
—Big Think, 30 Mar. 2026
If the war goes pear-shaped, they will be poised to steer the party’s future.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Media and governments embraced his Malthusian gloom and shaped generations of Americans to view humanity as blight.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 20 Mar. 2026
Cages come in several shapes including square, triangular, cone-shaped, and rings.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 15 Mar. 2026
Taking on debt The bottom tier of the E-shaped economy is characterized by high credit card usage and Buy Now, Pay Later usage, Long says.
—Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
For Restrepo—whose work with Nobel laureate Daron Acemoglu has shaped the economics profession’s understanding of automation for more than a decade—the message is not one of despair, but of clear-eyed reckoning.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
The general sentiment is that Apple is at a crossroads, caught between the ethos that shaped the company and a technological shift that's forcing it to compete on unfamiliar ground.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2026
This fellowship recognizes work that has shaped and continues to impact the evolution of jazz.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Those Munich molds represent some of the earliest tangible evidence of chocolate being shaped into rabbit form — physical artifacts linking Old World craftsmanship to a tradition that would eventually sweep across the Atlantic.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Extreme isolation has shaped every part of life on Tristan.
—NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
One particular event during his tenure that shaped the department going forward was the death in 2010 of 28-year-old firefighter Brian Carey.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Charles Frazier, Cold Mountain (1997) Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain is an aching, tender slow burn shaped by absence.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The Swedish firm Ulf Mejergren even submitted a plan for topping the venerable structure with a giant cross-shaped swimming pool (which, if nothing else, would presumably minimize future fire risk).
—David A. Bell, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
The show will play on a cross-shaped stage, placing the audience in the heart of the action.
—Ryan Brennan
april 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
This year, my resistance was aided by unbetterable presses dedicated to literature in translation, like the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute, whose books include prose as well as poetry, and Archipelago Books, a publisher of square-shaped, deliciously pastry-sized publications.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Most massive galaxies are spiral or elliptical shaped.
—Big Think, 30 Mar. 2026
If the war goes pear-shaped, they will be poised to steer the party’s future.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Media and governments embraced his Malthusian gloom and shaped generations of Americans to view humanity as blight.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 20 Mar. 2026
Cages come in several shapes including square, triangular, cone-shaped, and rings.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 15 Mar. 2026
Taking on debt The bottom tier of the E-shaped economy is characterized by high credit card usage and Buy Now, Pay Later usage, Long says.
—Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled against the use of affirmative action in admissions but said colleges could still consider how race has shaped students' lives if applicants share that information in their admissions essays.
—CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
For Restrepo—whose work with Nobel laureate Daron Acemoglu has shaped the economics profession’s understanding of automation for more than a decade—the message is not one of despair, but of clear-eyed reckoning.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
The general sentiment is that Apple is at a crossroads, caught between the ethos that shaped the company and a technological shift that's forcing it to compete on unfamiliar ground.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2026
This fellowship recognizes work that has shaped and continues to impact the evolution of jazz.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Those Munich molds represent some of the earliest tangible evidence of chocolate being shaped into rabbit form — physical artifacts linking Old World craftsmanship to a tradition that would eventually sweep across the Atlantic.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Extreme isolation has shaped every part of life on Tristan.
—NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
One particular event during his tenure that shaped the department going forward was the death in 2010 of 28-year-old firefighter Brian Carey.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Charles Frazier, Cold Mountain (1997) Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain is an aching, tender slow burn shaped by absence.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaped
Adjective
-
When decisions arrive pre-formed, discernment fades.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
2 Mar. 2026
-
For a fresh look, add ornamental grasses, which create a more natural look than a formed hedge.—
Kelley Bruss,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But the Freezer Martini technique can and has been adapted to more standard specifications, and to absolutely wonderful results.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The play was adapted by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke.—
Ryan Brennan
April 3,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mattress slackers do have an excuse, however, since some of the newer mattress-in-a-box brands aren't designed to flip.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Organic pesticides can still have environmental impacts because they are designed to control living organisms.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Companies across sectors have already adjusted their offerings and weighed price increases due to the surge in oil prices.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In a video obtained by Fox News Digital, Schwarzenegger carefully adjusted Baena’s positioning to ensure optimal muscle growth.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Breakfast Ride and Cowboy Cookout are two unique dining experiences the whole family will love, and adult guests will appreciate the new spa planned for late 2027.—
Julie Bielenberg,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Harrison, who declined to discuss his friend’s personal life, had a T-shirt made for Friday night’s vigil in Metayer’s honor at Coral Springs City Hall, one of several planned around South Florida in the coming days.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fortifier, a product tailored to preemies, is meant to augment mother’s milk when babies are born prematurely and a mother’s milk alone doesn’t deliver enough nutrition.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Beyond the main performance stages, the center’s instructional spaces are tailored for drama studies as well as choral, band and orchestra programs, with soundproof practice rooms and breakout rooms featuring acoustic paneling, as well as instrument lockers.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Billing records show he was involved with the case soon after, as the firm prepared to bring it to the Supreme Court a second time.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Teams conducted testing, prepared the site, and then deployed the system inside the facility.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sharpe said traditionally French cuisine has been looked at as the standard, and chefs have conformed to fit that standard.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Martin highlighted the findings, which mostly conformed to his expectations but still surprised him in the magnitude of the angst over the work situationship.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaped. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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