1
as in forms
the outward appearance of something as distinguished from its substance
that part of the state is known as the panhandle because of its shape
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in physiques
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
1
as in adapts
to change (something) so as to make it suitable for a new use or situation
a dress shaped to the customer's particular figure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in designs
to work out the details of (something) in advance
over the winter the committee shaped the company's new marketing strategy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 shapes
Katrina Cossey, Parents, 16 Sep. 2025
Soak the designs in a bowl of cold water and then apply the leaf shapes to plain or colored vases to decorate your living room with fall spirit.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2025
Towel animals are whimsical creations made by folding bath towels into shapes resembling animals, a tradition popularized by cruise lines and some hotels.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
The six other styles include a red and white shell, a blue shell, a black and rainbow shell, a grey shell with purple, pink, red, yellow and black stripes, as well as a white shell with red, blue and yellow geometric shapes.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Fields then helped another toddler make different shapes out of blue Play-Doh.
—Lina Ruiz
september 16, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Sep. 2025
Move Fast, Lead Bold A unique mix of training and experience shapes each of these authors’ insights.
—Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The organizer sits on a 360-degree swivel base and comes with multiple insert trays with customizable heights to store products of varying shapes and sizes.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
Legendary architect Zaha Hadid is widely recognized for her futuristic buildings, constructed from steel, concrete, and glass and known for their impressive curves and geometric shapes.
—Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 9 Sep. 2025
Allan J. Lichtman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
In recent years, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the expert group that shapes the agency’s national vaccine recommendations, has considered dropping its recommendation for a first dose administered at age 11 or 12, since meningococcal infections are rare among preteens.
—Jamie Ducharme, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
That creator-first philosophy shapes every interaction.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
The manager-employee relationship largely shapes employee well-being.
—Dr. Cynthia J. Young, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Along with those new cabinet styles, Wentz is also seeing more curvy shapes come into kitchens, both white and otherwise, to counteract all the rectilinear shapes inherent in cabinetry and appliances.
—Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2025
Our work not only shapes their future but also sets precedents that move the industry forward.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025
Brooks then cuts the sections into smaller pieces with a cutting tool and shapes the pieces into gnocchi using a gnocchi board.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Jane and Cassandra’s relationship even shapes our understanding of Austen today.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
Simply line up the shapes on the end of each beam to put together for an obstacle course or indoor play.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 16 Sep. 2025
Soak the designs in a bowl of cold water and then apply the leaf shapes to plain or colored vases to decorate your living room with fall spirit.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2025
Towel animals are whimsical creations made by folding bath towels into shapes resembling animals, a tradition popularized by cruise lines and some hotels.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
The six other styles include a red and white shell, a blue shell, a black and rainbow shell, a grey shell with purple, pink, red, yellow and black stripes, as well as a white shell with red, blue and yellow geometric shapes.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Fields then helped another toddler make different shapes out of blue Play-Doh.
—Lina Ruiz
september 16, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Sep. 2025
Move Fast, Lead Bold A unique mix of training and experience shapes each of these authors’ insights.
—Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The organizer sits on a 360-degree swivel base and comes with multiple insert trays with customizable heights to store products of varying shapes and sizes.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
Legendary architect Zaha Hadid is widely recognized for her futuristic buildings, constructed from steel, concrete, and glass and known for their impressive curves and geometric shapes.
—Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
Contrary to Johnson's claim, politics shapes conservatives' interpretation of biblical truth rather than biblical truth shaping their politics.
—Allan J. Lichtman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
In recent years, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the expert group that shapes the agency’s national vaccine recommendations, has considered dropping its recommendation for a first dose administered at age 11 or 12, since meningococcal infections are rare among preteens.
—Jamie Ducharme, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
That creator-first philosophy shapes every interaction.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
The manager-employee relationship largely shapes employee well-being.
—Dr. Cynthia J. Young, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Along with those new cabinet styles, Wentz is also seeing more curvy shapes come into kitchens, both white and otherwise, to counteract all the rectilinear shapes inherent in cabinetry and appliances.
—Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2025
Our work not only shapes their future but also sets precedents that move the industry forward.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025
Brooks then cuts the sections into smaller pieces with a cutting tool and shapes the pieces into gnocchi using a gnocchi board.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Jane and Cassandra’s relationship even shapes our understanding of Austen today.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shapes
Noun
-
These might include the filling out of forms, technological issues and fraud prevention.—
Gus Alexiou,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Knee braces are considered one of the most effective forms of treatment for the joint pain, but patients can find the braces uncomfortable, Uhlrich said.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In one picture, the married couple's younger son, Joaquin, looked like a spitting image of his dad, both showing off their toned physiques in a shirtless snap by the water.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Trust grows when technology adapts to users, not the other way around.—
Munkhtuya Rentsenbat,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
And the fourth-gen Google Nest Learning Thermostat, discounted by 37%, smartly adapts to your schedule while keeping your home comfortable and energy bills lower.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The company designs its own servers internally, bypassing OEMs and collaborating directly with manufacturers to cut costs, enhance performance, and quickly integrate the latest GPUs.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Many historic distilleries, like Maker's Mark, replicate original still designs to maintain the consistent taste of their bourbon.—
Maggie Menderski,
The Courier-Journal,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
ABC's move is latest high-profile example of media figures facing repercussions for comments about Kirk's killing.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Facts and figures The Red Sox are 82-69.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For this research, 2,750 people underwent about five years of annual neurological assessments and brain imaging along with evaluations of sleep habits to investigate the association between insomnia and brain changes.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Here are a few more habits to get into to keep your garden healthy and reduce disease and pest problems.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Emery adjusts for certain matches.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Regarding the digestive side effects, the doctor said the medications do slow down the GI tract, but it's been shown that the body adjusts to that over time.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Terra Lawson-Remer, chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, plans to present a proposal to the board as well.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Going forward, the team plans to investigate the exact cellular mechanism that results in the cross-species cloning that Iberian harvester queens perform.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shapes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shapes. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share