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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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
Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
The tabletop sits on a sturdy cross-shaped base and resists scratches and stains.
—Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2026
The spacecraft saw an arching filament made from entwined magnetic fields carrying plasma and connected to a cross-shaped region of magnetic activity laced with more magnetic field lines.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Clostridium botulinum is a rod-shaped, spore-forming bacterium that can produce botulinum toxins under low-oxygen conditions, according to the USDA.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Jan. 2026
The asymmetrical satin gown, with draping and a scarf neckline, was finished with a bow-shaped, silver-rhinestone bijou that became the roadmap.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 12 Jan. 2026
Let’s examine the nuances of these revenue-sharing deals — and potential fallout when others inevitably go pear-shaped.
—Justin Williams, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Internal shaping and weight removal might be necessary to prevent the haircut from looking bulky or square-shaped, Michael says.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 8 Jan. 2026
That's where things started to go pear shaped.
—New Atlas, 8 Jan. 2026
Andy Mitten, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
One question that will probably come up in the process is how designating a national park might work alongside the California Coastal Act, a landmark state law that has shaped and defined the way the coast is developed and protected.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
These forms did not emerge in isolation, but out of daily practices of survival and defiance shaped by colonial domination, racial hierarchies, and economic dispossession.
—Dr. Carlos A Torre, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
Scents associated with a particular period can take on new meaning when revisited, shaped by memory and familiarity.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
The history of Olympic figure skating is shaped almost as much by epic falls as by soaring pirouettes.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 7 Feb. 2026
Performances highlighted influential figures and cultural icons who shaped Black history and culture.
—Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Reese had shown Martin a recipe for a chicken-and-waffles croissant that was shaped, interestingly, like a couch, with the rising dough creating the cushions.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
The footbed of these boots are shaped like a standard sneaker, but grippy Vibram outsoles provide the traction needed to remain safe on snowy, uneven terrain.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The flowers are small, reddish-pink, and spike-shaped, growing in tight clusters on tapered stems, accompanied by attractive waxy leaves.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
The tabletop sits on a sturdy cross-shaped base and resists scratches and stains.
—Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2026
The spacecraft saw an arching filament made from entwined magnetic fields carrying plasma and connected to a cross-shaped region of magnetic activity laced with more magnetic field lines.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Clostridium botulinum is a rod-shaped, spore-forming bacterium that can produce botulinum toxins under low-oxygen conditions, according to the USDA.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Jan. 2026
The asymmetrical satin gown, with draping and a scarf neckline, was finished with a bow-shaped, silver-rhinestone bijou that became the roadmap.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 12 Jan. 2026
Let’s examine the nuances of these revenue-sharing deals — and potential fallout when others inevitably go pear-shaped.
—Justin Williams, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Internal shaping and weight removal might be necessary to prevent the haircut from looking bulky or square-shaped, Michael says.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 8 Jan. 2026
That's where things started to go pear shaped.
—New Atlas, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
Manchester United’s history is shaped by tragedy and triumph.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
One question that will probably come up in the process is how designating a national park might work alongside the California Coastal Act, a landmark state law that has shaped and defined the way the coast is developed and protected.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
These forms did not emerge in isolation, but out of daily practices of survival and defiance shaped by colonial domination, racial hierarchies, and economic dispossession.
—Dr. Carlos A Torre, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
Scents associated with a particular period can take on new meaning when revisited, shaped by memory and familiarity.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
The history of Olympic figure skating is shaped almost as much by epic falls as by soaring pirouettes.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 7 Feb. 2026
Performances highlighted influential figures and cultural icons who shaped Black history and culture.
—Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Reese had shown Martin a recipe for a chicken-and-waffles croissant that was shaped, interestingly, like a couch, with the rising dough creating the cushions.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
The footbed of these boots are shaped like a standard sneaker, but grippy Vibram outsoles provide the traction needed to remain safe on snowy, uneven terrain.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaped
Adjective
-
Both pre-formed vitamin A and provitamin A carotenoids are used in supplements.—
Mira Miller,
Verywell Health,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Excess intake of pre-formed vitamin A from animal sources or supplements can lead to toxicity, so moderation is essential—especially for pregnant people.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Researchers adapted the playbook for studying young children to stage a juice party for Kanzi.—
Adithi Ramakrishnan,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
There are also adapted bathroom features, auditory guidance, and step-free access throughout certain suites.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The European Space Agency telescope is designed to make a 3D map of the universe by looking at billions of galaxies up to 10 billion light years away across one third of the sky.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The transfer shell game The problems compound when ICE transfers detainees without notice, a practice attorneys said is a kind of shell game designed to frustrate legal challenges.—
Ben Fenwick,
Oklahoma Watch,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That limit will be adjusted for cost of living starting in 2027.—
Jeanne Sahadi,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Chelsea have adjusted quickly to Liam Rosenior.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
About an hour later, SpaceX confirmed the satellites (Group 17-33) had been deployed as planned.—
Robert Z. Pearlman,
Space.com,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Like many nations across the world, Australia has experienced sharp divisions over Israel’s war in Gaza that have spilled into protests – with more planned in as many as 30 cities nationwide on Monday to mark Herzog’s visit.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The results point to a future where things like knee braces, exoskeletons, or even joint replacements could be tailored to an individual’s exact joint motion.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The latter is tough to find because most bras that are tailored to those with large busts have intricate straps and hardware to provide support, which results in a stiff, uncomfortable, and restrictive fit.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Noni juice is a tropical beverage prepared from fresh, ripe noni fruits.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Student reporters at PantherNOW, FIU’s student newspaper, have reported that as space is prioritized for freshmen and parts of University Apartments are prepared for demolition, more upperclassmen are being pushed off campus.—
Johane Saintil,
Miami Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But sanctions, as a tool, only work some of the time, and US sanctions on Iran have not always conformed to what experts consider best practices.—
James Sneed,
NPR,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Florida law should not be conformed to Israel’s whims on that matter.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaped. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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