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
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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Recent Examples of shape (up)
Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
The vote was shaping up to be narrow in the House as well, where Johnson can afford to lose only three votes in order to pass the omnibus legislation.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025
Cincinnati's 2025 concert calendar is shaping up to be epic.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Senate Republicans are entering what is shaping up to be a messy battleground Senate race in North Carolina after Sen. Thom Tillis’s (R-NC) surprise retirement.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shape (up)
Verb
After potential storms in the early morning, Sunday is shaping up to be particularly spectacular.
—Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
The vote was shaping up to be narrow in the House as well, where Johnson can afford to lose only three votes in order to pass the omnibus legislation.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025
Cincinnati's 2025 concert calendar is shaping up to be epic.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Senate Republicans are entering what is shaping up to be a messy battleground Senate race in North Carolina after Sen. Thom Tillis’s (R-NC) surprise retirement.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shape (up)
Cite this Entry
“Shape (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shape%20%28up%29. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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