as in forms
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 improves
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
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Recent Examples of shapes (up)
Michael Casey,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2026
As the two bond in short order, our previously flailing hero shapes up very quickly indeed, soon shedding his substance abuse problems and entering a healthy relationship with dreamy social worker Oscar (Diego Calva).
—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
16 May 2026
Let’s take a look at how this one shapes up.
—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Get your popcorn, kick up your feet and get ready for what shapes up to be an epic showdown in the Final Four nightcap on Saturday night.
—
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
The 75th Florida Derby — a top race that has produced 26 Kentucky Derby winners — shapes up as this year’s biggest prep heading into the May 2 Run for the Roses.
—
Clark Spencer,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Sunday shapes up to be more than a two-man race.
—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2026
What shapes up as an intriguing seventh year under Coach Jordyn Wieber for the University of Arkansas gymnastics team gets rolling Saturday with the season opener at Minnesota.
—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
The brains of the operation shapes up as a Dimensity 7050 5G processor supported by 12 GB of system RAM (plus a further 24 GB of virtual memory if needed) and 256 GB of storage with microSD expansion to 2 TB.
—
New Atlas,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
Senate passage of the bill shapes up as a rare bipartisan legislative achievement when much of Republicans’ agenda has stalled.
—
Michael Casey,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2026
As the two bond in short order, our previously flailing hero shapes up very quickly indeed, soon shedding his substance abuse problems and entering a healthy relationship with dreamy social worker Oscar (Diego Calva).
—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
16 May 2026
Let’s take a look at how this one shapes up.
—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Get your popcorn, kick up your feet and get ready for what shapes up to be an epic showdown in the Final Four nightcap on Saturday night.
—
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
The 75th Florida Derby — a top race that has produced 26 Kentucky Derby winners — shapes up as this year’s biggest prep heading into the May 2 Run for the Roses.
—
Clark Spencer,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Sunday shapes up to be more than a two-man race.
—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2026
What shapes up as an intriguing seventh year under Coach Jordyn Wieber for the University of Arkansas gymnastics team gets rolling Saturday with the season opener at Minnesota.
—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
The brains of the operation shapes up as a Dimensity 7050 5G processor supported by 12 GB of system RAM (plus a further 24 GB of virtual memory if needed) and 256 GB of storage with microSD expansion to 2 TB.
—
New Atlas,
9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shapes (up)
Verb
-
When people understand the stakes and see peers celebrated for vigilance, the habit forms itself.
-
How a heat dome actually forms A heat dome is essentially a massive, stubborn high-pressure system that parks itself over a region and traps hot, humid air underneath.
Verb
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Just as the resumption of the age-old war with Indian also improves the breed.
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Birds are essential for creating a sustainable landscape that supports wildlife and improves biodiversity in the garden.
Verb
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The measure amends the city's general plan and land use framework to add a citywide ban on data centers, according to city officials.
-
The legislation amends the Brown Act to diversify and increase public engagement in meetings of local legislative bodies.
Verb
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There’s that churro bread pudding, the one with a junkyard origin story that breaks down the churros and then reforms them into a dense and perfect block as powerful as an Avengers movie prop.
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Kentucky's General Assembly has passed House Bill 2, which reforms the state's Medicaid program.
Verb
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Imagine infrastructure that behaves less like static software and more like adaptive biological defense.
-
Lighting, room size, and function all play a role in how color behaves.
Cite this Entry
“Shapes (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shapes%20%28up%29. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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