Synonyms of shaping (up)

shaping (up) 1 of 2

verb (1)

present participle of shape (up)

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

• forming
• crystallizing
• connecting
• linking (up)
• solidifying
• joining
• combining
• jelling
• coupling
• cohering
• fusing
• coalescing
• uniting
• unifying
• associating
• conjugating
• conjoining

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• breaking down
• decaying
• decomposing
• disintegrating

shaping up

2 of 2

verb (2)

present participle of shape up

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• straightening (up or out)
• improving
• cleaning up one's act
• amending
• behaving
• reforming
• regenerating
• mending
• bettering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• regressing
• backsliding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of shaping (up)

Verb

October’s shaping up to be a busy spooky season for the Hot Girl ringleader. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2026

Affordability Given that this election is shaping up to be heavily influenced by voters’ concerns about affordability, both parties have the issue on their agendas but will approach it differently. — Daniel J. Mallinson, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026

The race is shaping up to be a close contest, with the latest polls showing Graham Nordone slightly leading Andrews. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026

The big-budget film is shaping up to be one of the year’s biggest bombs, with opening weekend projections of $12 million to $15 million from 3,300 North American screens. — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026

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