1
as in shape
the outward appearance of something as distinguished from its substance
the wood-carver carved the block of wood into the form of a duck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in manner
personal conduct or behavior as evaluated by an accepted standard of appropriateness for a social or professional setting
it's bad form to throw a tantrum on the court just because you lost a tennis match
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in condition
a state of being or fitness
after a long season off, the football team is back in good form
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
6
as in ritual
an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules
we'll use the second form in our church missals for today's Lenten service
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in etiquette
socially acceptable behavior
displayed good form throughout the formal dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in method
the means or procedure for doing something
there are established forms for voting on motions and amendments at meetings
Synonyms & Similar Words
9
10
as in format
the way in which the elements of something (as a work of art) are arranged
museumgoers liked the asymmetrical form of the mobile
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to crystallize
to take on a definite form
my ideas on the subject are just starting to form
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to comprise
to be all the substance of
this one sentence really forms the basis of your argument
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to produce
to bring into being by combining, shaping, or transforming materials
formed the pot out of the clay
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to start
to come into existence
the new company formed from two smaller ones
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to develop
to come to have gradually
I don't want you beginning skiers to form any bad habits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of form
Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025
Controversy is nothing new for Brutalism, which was itself a form of criticism.
—Anna Kodé, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025
Whip the cream at medium-high speed until soft peaks form using a stand or hand mixer.
—Martin Sorge, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for form
Noun
Everton's home advantage at the intimidating Goodison Park could prove significant, though United's away form has improved in recent weeks.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025
Controversy is nothing new for Brutalism, which was itself a form of criticism.
—Anna Kodé, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
Verb
Chicago could look to land another ace and form a team built on the backs of the starting pitchers.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025
Whip the cream at medium-high speed until soft peaks form using a stand or hand mixer.
—Martin Sorge, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for form
Recent Examples of Synonyms for form
Noun
-
UConn remains in solid shape in terms of an NCAA bid, but avoiding upsets until the Big East Tournament would be a good idea.—
Joe Rexrode,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
-
The script isn’t yet in shape, according to James Gunn’s most recent remarks, and with Matt Reeves’ solo Batman franchise sequel The Batman Part II about to start production the studio wants to leave room between the separate bat-films.—
Mark Hughes,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Passports and naturalization documents: Keep them forever.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA TODAY,
23 Feb. 2025
-
No governing document, no foundational rules that define how power is distributed, how decisions are made and what rights the people have in relation to their government.—
Kam Buckner,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The EDAs can enhance identity management in the following manner: • Automated Workflows: SCIM offers a protocol to automate workflows to handle identity changes through the integration of service providers and identity providers.—
Ravi Laudya,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Palm trees, like Angelenos, can go on forever, in one manner or another.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
By contrast, as trade expert and non-partisan Growth Commission Chairman Shanker Singham explains, the EU conditions market access on accepting the EU regulatory system and EU standards.—
Alden Abbott,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
-
The news came in a Holy See press office update issued on the 88-year-old's condition Sunday morning.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
See, there’s this scary monkey toy—a vintage windup doll that creepily plays the drums—and whenever it gets set off, someone around it dies.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Fashioning Wonder includes some exquisite doll sized clothing and accessories, were traditional objects that might have been included in someone’s collection of curiosities?—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Neighborhood theaters made attending movies a weekly or even daily ritual for audiences.—
Michael Wells,
Kansas City Star,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Eating Chomps has become a faithful ritual for an average day.—
Andrew Watman,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Newsweek spoke to etiquette expert Jo Hayes about the colleague's behavior, and what the original poster (OP) should do next.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
-
What is the proper etiquette when addressing a salesperson or clerk in a retail setting?—
Judith Martin,
The Mercury News,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Cross-staking rebar is an older method that requires pounding two strong pieces of rebar (at least 24 inches long) into the ground in an X configuration.—
Skye Goode,
Outdoor Life,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Unlike outdated teaching methods that rely on memorization or guessing strategies, the Science of Reading focuses on how children's brains actually learn to read.—
Linetta Jackson Special to the Democrat-Gazette,
arkansasonline.com,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Form.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/form. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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