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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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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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

While the ratings and programming landscape has changed dramatically over the intervening decades, this year’s playoffs (starting Tuesday) are shaping up as a back-to-the-future milestone for NBC Sports. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026 In the southwestern and central United States, an intense week of weather is shaping up. — Ben Noll, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2026 Many of November’s elections are shaping up to be tight races, with some recent polls indicating Democrats could come out on top. — Isabel Danzis, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026 At a time when the race to build the best frontier models is center stage, the competition to establish the next hardware platform is shaping up to be just as important. — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shape (up)

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shape (up)

Verb

Hundreds of millions of dollars have been routed through political groups that do not disclose their donors, including pop-up super PACs that form and spend late in races, CBS News has reported.

— Gabe Kaminsky, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
The images formed a grim honor guard in the main hallway at Ben Gurion Airport, and were the last thing a foreign visitor would see before boarding a flight home.

— Charlene Gubash, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of form

Verb

Neutrinos bump into other particles only rarely, so scientists build large detectors to improve their odds of catching collisions.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
But experts are not optimistic that the additional supply will improve refined product availability and temper prices in the long run.

— Matthew Tan, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of improve

Verb

Along with the Vancouver Art Gallery (a former court house) and the nearby Hotel Georgia, the Hotel Vancouver is one of the three anchors that determined how downtown Vancouver was built, and how the neighborhood behaves today.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Researchers will use those collisions to probe the internal structure of matter and study how quarks and gluons, the fundamental particles responsible for building protons and neutrons, behave inside atomic nuclei.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of behave

Verb

Going forward, the audit asks the Legislature to amend state law to provide clear instruction that prohibits state workers from regularly teleworking outside of California.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
But the city’s Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee on Tuesday amended the map to remove portions of the 3rd District — which is the district the Chiefs and Royals are leaving for their new stadiums.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of amend

Verb

As a senator, her priorities include supporting economic development, bettering police and community relations, securing funding for educational programs and passing policies for affordable housing, according to her campaign website.

— Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026
His hopes for The Situation is to better the experience of other disadvantaged creatives climbing the ranks today.

— Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of better

Verb

In addition to easing federal regulations, the bill also encourages states and cities to reform their land-use rules, which would mark a significant change in the federalist system with respect to city planning.

— Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
To continue Francis' push to reform the Vatican bureaucracy, the Curia.

— Scott Detrow, NPR, 3 Oct. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shape (up)

verb (1)

verb (2)

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