SHAPE (UP) Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

shape (up) 1 of 2

verb (1)

Definition of shape (up)

as in to form

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shape up

2 of 2

verb (2)

as in to improve

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

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 shape (up)

Verb

Rodriguez, who shares many similarities with Salazar, may shape up to be a formidable opponent given his strong name recognition, said Gamarra, who lives in District 27. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026 With classes starting Thursday, the District U-46 School Board was given an optimistic report Monday on ongoing construction and how things are shaping up for the new school year. — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026 As this chart from Nancy Vanden Houten at Oxford Economics shows, the 2026 fiscal year was shaping up to have smaller deficits than 2025, until very recently. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026 Fall 2026 is shaping up to be a major season for statement footwear, but one of the most polished trends, the high-vamp pump, is surprisingly understated. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shape (up)

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shape (up)

Verb

Building The Harder Half None of this argues against forming AI committees, naming accountable directors or updating governance charters to reflect the technology’s growing weight.

— Amer Al Ahbabi, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Smotrich and his partners have dispersed new settlements in places with high tactical importance, deliberately separating areas under Palestinian control to disrupt the territorial continuity that could one day form the basis of a Palestinian state.

— Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of form

Verb

Chelsea, despite missing out on a late move for Lamine Camara, and Tottenham have improved considerably, but that is more a reflection of previous dysfunction — and a lighter schedule — than inspired recruitment.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Kia's base model can feel a bit barebones, but upper trims feature plenty of creature comforts and tech enhancements that improve its driving and ownership experience.

— Keith Laing, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of improve

Verb

Search for jet quenching Previous experiments suggest that a millionth of a second after the Big Bang, even as temperatures remained extremely high, matter did not behave like gas but instead like liquid with very low viscosity.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
The denim industry does not necessarily need another product that behaves exactly like PP.

— Alice Tonello, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of behave

Verb

As part of the plea agreement, the prosecution amended the first charge to reckless driving, second offense, and the second charge to a careless driving citation.

— Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
Judge Darren Steele said the state amended a charge of willful, wanton reckless driving – second offense, adjudication of guilt that carried a $1,000 fine.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of amend

Verb

Then the attention economy takes over, unleashing too many athletes who speak freely to better themselves rather than a select few who speak bravely to better society.

— Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Parton dedicated her life and career to bettering the world in so many ways, from her Dollywood theme park to her Imagination Library, which has promoted childhood literacy through delivering millions of books to children.

— Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of better

Verb

Child safety experts lauded the settlement and the accompanying pressure campaign as a giant leap forward in the effort to regulate an industry that until this year appeared all but impenetrable to reform, either from the courts or legislatures.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
More recently, Republicans who spent years complaining about Obamacare have failed to abolish it, let alone reform its finances.

— Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of reform

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shapes up

shape (up)

shape up

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“Shape (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shape%20%28up%29. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of shape (up)

verb (1)

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