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
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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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Recent Examples of shaping (up)
K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
The North Carolina race is already shaping up as one of the most expensive Senate contests in the country.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 4 Feb. 2026
As the 2026 Milan Winter Olympic Games descend on Europe’s snowy playground from February 6 to 22, the competition off the ice and slopes is certainly shaping up to be a style spectacle in its own right.
—Christina Pérez, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2026
Other teams’ decision-making is shaping up to benefit the Broncos.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
The issue is shaping up to be a key factor in November's midterm elections, experts said.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
Those concerns will surely carry over to Warsh's confirmation process, which already is shaping up to be potentially difficult.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
In an appearance on Fortune‘s Titans and Disruptors of Industry video podcast, Bourla talked about the triumphs and challenges of navigating the pharmaceutical giant through the pandemic and what is shaping up afterward.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
Local boys and girls teams from Harvard-Westlake, Hart, Saugus, El Camino and several other schools are shaping up for postseason runs.
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
The new suit’s unique joints are shaping up to be a major advancement over previous space suits, but the AxEMU’s relatively high weight is still a cause for concern.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
The North Carolina race is already shaping up as one of the most expensive Senate contests in the country.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 4 Feb. 2026
As the 2026 Milan Winter Olympic Games descend on Europe’s snowy playground from February 6 to 22, the competition off the ice and slopes is certainly shaping up to be a style spectacle in its own right.
—Christina Pérez, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2026
Other teams’ decision-making is shaping up to benefit the Broncos.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
The issue is shaping up to be a key factor in November's midterm elections, experts said.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
Those concerns will surely carry over to Warsh's confirmation process, which already is shaping up to be potentially difficult.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
In an appearance on Fortune‘s Titans and Disruptors of Industry video podcast, Bourla talked about the triumphs and challenges of navigating the pharmaceutical giant through the pandemic and what is shaping up afterward.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
Local boys and girls teams from Harvard-Westlake, Hart, Saugus, El Camino and several other schools are shaping up for postseason runs.
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaping (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaping%20%28up%29. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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