as in forming
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in straightening (up or out)
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of shaping (up)
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2026
Critics say event ‘hijacked’ by Christian nationalism Critics say Rededicate 250 is shaping up to promote Christian nationalism — whose adherents typically believe that the United States was founded as and should be a Christian nation.
—Peter Smith, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
According to a tracker of anti-LGBTQ+ bills maintained by the American Civil Liberties Union, 2026 is shaping up to be the most aggressive year yet for states.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 14 May 2026
The rising attention on Pratt shakes up a race that, until recently, was shaping up to pit Bass against a rival to her left rather than her right.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Fortune, 13 May 2026
With the 84th Golden Globes shaping up for next January, the awards show is confronting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) with new eligibility rules.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 7 May 2026
The June top-two primary election is shaping up to be more interesting than usual, as Californians wrestle with an open gubernatorial race and a variety of post-gerrymandering congressional races that could determine which party controls the House of Representatives.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
Ohio's 2024 Senate race was the most expensive of the cycle, and this year's Senate contest is already shaping up to be costly.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 6 May 2026
Collaborations aside, May is already shaping up to be a huge month for New Balance releases.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
Verb
In that way, the race seems to be shaping up as less a competition than a self-fulfilling prophecy.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2026
Critics say event ‘hijacked’ by Christian nationalism Critics say Rededicate 250 is shaping up to promote Christian nationalism — whose adherents typically believe that the United States was founded as and should be a Christian nation.
—Peter Smith, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
According to a tracker of anti-LGBTQ+ bills maintained by the American Civil Liberties Union, 2026 is shaping up to be the most aggressive year yet for states.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 14 May 2026
The rising attention on Pratt shakes up a race that, until recently, was shaping up to pit Bass against a rival to her left rather than her right.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Fortune, 13 May 2026
With the 84th Golden Globes shaping up for next January, the awards show is confronting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) with new eligibility rules.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 7 May 2026
The June top-two primary election is shaping up to be more interesting than usual, as Californians wrestle with an open gubernatorial race and a variety of post-gerrymandering congressional races that could determine which party controls the House of Representatives.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
Ohio's 2024 Senate race was the most expensive of the cycle, and this year's Senate contest is already shaping up to be costly.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 6 May 2026
Collaborations aside, May is already shaping up to be a huge month for New Balance releases.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaping (up)
Verb
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Bell also received a second stent and was put on blood thinners to reduce the risk of another clot forming.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
-
Under blue light, the microorganisms cluster together and migrate toward the liquid-air interface, forming dense swarms.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
Verb
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More than a workflow, CD/CR is positioned as a new framework and potentially a new SOC discipline, built around the idea that detection and investigation should function as a single self-improving system.—
K.H. Koehler,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
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In addition to the work on the golf course, which includes improving bunkers and teeing areas as well as re-grassing, Jeffersonville in 2024 completed a new $12 million state-of-the-art clubhouse.—
Erik Matuszewski,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
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That vote was meant to be the final part of the multistep process for amending the Virginia constitution.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
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Proper plant placement and amending soil to ensure adequate drainage are the best way to prevent root rots.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Seen in this light, Tik-Tok offers an early model for thinking about how humans imagine intelligent machines behaving, anticipating modern concerns about control and trust that shape today’s debates about AI.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
19 May 2026
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Plus, the Andes virus that appeared on the cruise ship has not been behaving any differently from past Andes viruses.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The savings outlined in the SEC filings, and the high importance securing them played in executives’ compensation for the year, shows the benefit to Uber’s shareholders and executives from reforming insurance laws nationwide.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2026
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Along with reforming teaching methods, states have also required schools to screen for learning disabilities such as dyslexia and hire coaches to help teachers improve their reading instruction.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaping (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaping%20%28up%29. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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