1
as in adjusting
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in planning
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 shaping
CEOs and global leaders will gather for a dynamic, invitation-only event shaping the future of business.
—
Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
The summit spotlighted the voices shaping the future of sports, as TikTok leaders sat down with industry executives including Alfredo Bermejo (Director of Digital Strategy, LaLiga), Al Eewshah (Content Lead, NFL), and Rich Paul (CEO & Founder, KLUTCH Sports Group).
—Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
From Google Lessons to Broader Horizons Lerner credits his years at Google for shaping the company’s strategy.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
This year’s most ambitious chefs laid themselves bare, their autobiographical storytelling shaping singular restaurants.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Sign up for our weekly newsletter that goes beyond the livestream, offering a closer look at the trends and figures shaping the ETF market.
—Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
It’s all buoyed by an unparalleled lineup of speakers who are shaping the industry one tectonic shift at a time.
—Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025
During his time in the Legislature, McCarty spent nearly a decade shaping state school spending as chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance.
—Amelia Wu, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
In an industry where differentiation is everything, even something as small as rolling paper can carry outsized weight in shaping brand identity, influencing customer loyalty and ultimately driving sales.
—Sara Payan, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
The summit spotlighted the voices shaping the future of sports, as TikTok leaders sat down with industry executives including Alfredo Bermejo (Director of Digital Strategy, LaLiga), Al Eewshah (Content Lead, NFL), and Rich Paul (CEO & Founder, KLUTCH Sports Group).
—Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
From Google Lessons to Broader Horizons Lerner credits his years at Google for shaping the company’s strategy.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
This year’s most ambitious chefs laid themselves bare, their autobiographical storytelling shaping singular restaurants.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Sign up for our weekly newsletter that goes beyond the livestream, offering a closer look at the trends and figures shaping the ETF market.
—Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
It’s all buoyed by an unparalleled lineup of speakers who are shaping the industry one tectonic shift at a time.
—Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025
During his time in the Legislature, McCarty spent nearly a decade shaping state school spending as chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance.
—Amelia Wu, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
In an industry where differentiation is everything, even something as small as rolling paper can carry outsized weight in shaping brand identity, influencing customer loyalty and ultimately driving sales.
—Sara Payan, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaping
Verb
-
Nonetheless, with policy in restrictive territory, the baseline outlook and the shifting balance of risks may warrant adjusting our policy stance.—
Adeola Adeosun
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Adaptation shapes responses to match the level of risk, guiding users in the moment, and adjusting trust dynamically.—
Steve Riley,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After March’s ruling, Syed is more comfortable planning his future.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Mabin said the department has been planning for the World Cup, which will bring six matches and a swell of fans to Arrowhead Stadium in June and July, for the better part of the last two years.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And more importantly, the Bulldogs should remain atop the SEC power rankings after adapting to and thriving against Tennessee’s frenetic style.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Injection wells may play a part in adapting Arizona infrastructure for a future under climate change, or at least a future of cheap renewable power.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Despite the setback, Richardson has been focused on working hard and preparing himself for his next opportunity.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
In addition to her baby on the way, Cardi B is preparing to embark on a new project — a 32-city tour.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The firm supports entries worldwide, tailoring applications to both domestic and international competitions.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Local brands are adopting global sales events, such as Black Friday, but tailoring them with region-specific messaging, languages and channels.—
Ivan Ostojić,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Lopez spent about two years at Palm Heights, and, as always, began to feel the inexorable draw of designing.—
Ana Karina Zatarain,
New Yorker,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Chinese scientists have paved the way for the country’s green development after successfully designing the world’s first working hydride ion battery, thus opening new possibilities for future energy storage.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
His wife approves or rejects the content ideas as well as his daughter, who is a sophomore in high school, but Musselman has no fear of putting himself out there.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Regional shares ended Friday's session lower, putting the Stoxx 600 index on course to end the week unchanged.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The college was being reprimanded amid allegations of antisemitism on campus and activism led in part by Mahmoud Khalil, a foreign student organizing against Israel’s war in Gaza.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Sep. 2025
-
As an engineering problem, AI mimics basic brain functions like memory, recall, organizing information, and learning.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shaping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaping. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share