1
as in shapes
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
4
as in rituals
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
5
as in methods
the means or procedure for doing something
there are established forms for voting on motions and amendments at meetings
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in physiques
the type of body that a person has
he has the big-boned form of a linebacker
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in formats
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 crystallizes
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 comprises
to be all the substance of
this one sentence really forms the basis of your argument
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in produces
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 originates
to come into existence
the new company formed from two smaller ones
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in develops
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of forms
Gus Alexiou, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Knee braces are considered one of the most effective forms of treatment for the joint pain, but patients can find the braces uncomfortable, Uhlrich said.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
When finished, fold the wires in half and stack them across each other, crossing the wires until a cob shape forms.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2025
On the New York streets, the ESSENCE beauty team saw a beautiful display of textured hairstyles in many forms and variations.
—Essence, 16 Sep. 2025
But Grok’s issues are not the result of a novel algorithm behaving in novel ways so much as an algorithm compressing and refracting all of the worst tendencies of the internet in very predictable forms.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
With Off the Internet, DocLab turns to interactive and immersive art in search of new forms of presence and connection.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
Holding a clipboard with voter registration forms, Samantha Asbury waited for the next train to arrive at the JW Clay Blvd/UNC Charlotte light rail station in north Charlotte Monday.
—Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
Although their political ideologies took different forms, these 20th-century futurists all focused their efforts on technological advancement as an ultimate objective.
—Sonja Fritzsche, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025
Perhaps the simplest way to describe this phenomenon is to say that parasocial interaction is what happens when someone forms a relationship with someone or something else that is not able to facilitate full two-way communication in the conventional sense.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The bond between Wendy and her brother, Joe Hermit (Alex Lawther), forms the emotional core of the show.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
That forms a very solid young group that the coaches hope stays together throughout high school.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
Phase one, of which the Merced-Bakersfield section forms the core, will connect six of California’s 10 largest cities — San Francisco, San Jose, Fresno, Bakersfield, Los Angeles and Anaheim.
—Ben Jones, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
The gang that forms around him is called a carro, or car.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
In another, Ada soothes her twisted ankle in an ice bucket intended for a fellow model’s birthday champagne (there’s also a cake, something no model has ever eaten); or forms an instant bond with a more seasoned colleague (Yuliia Ratner), a Ukrainian displaced by war, just like her.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Dwarf golden sweet flag forms a mat of golden-green foliage over time and is semi-evergreen.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
These might include the filling out of forms, technological issues and fraud prevention.
—Gus Alexiou, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Knee braces are considered one of the most effective forms of treatment for the joint pain, but patients can find the braces uncomfortable, Uhlrich said.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
When finished, fold the wires in half and stack them across each other, crossing the wires until a cob shape forms.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2025
On the New York streets, the ESSENCE beauty team saw a beautiful display of textured hairstyles in many forms and variations.
—Essence, 16 Sep. 2025
But Grok’s issues are not the result of a novel algorithm behaving in novel ways so much as an algorithm compressing and refracting all of the worst tendencies of the internet in very predictable forms.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
With Off the Internet, DocLab turns to interactive and immersive art in search of new forms of presence and connection.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
Holding a clipboard with voter registration forms, Samantha Asbury waited for the next train to arrive at the JW Clay Blvd/UNC Charlotte light rail station in north Charlotte Monday.
—Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
Although their political ideologies took different forms, these 20th-century futurists all focused their efforts on technological advancement as an ultimate objective.
—Sonja Fritzsche, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
That balancing act wouldn’t be possible without the mastery of Cooke and Wright (who also directed the first three episodes), whose tension forms the basis of every relationship and plot point in the six-episode series.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025
Perhaps the simplest way to describe this phenomenon is to say that parasocial interaction is what happens when someone forms a relationship with someone or something else that is not able to facilitate full two-way communication in the conventional sense.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The bond between Wendy and her brother, Joe Hermit (Alex Lawther), forms the emotional core of the show.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
That forms a very solid young group that the coaches hope stays together throughout high school.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
Phase one, of which the Merced-Bakersfield section forms the core, will connect six of California’s 10 largest cities — San Francisco, San Jose, Fresno, Bakersfield, Los Angeles and Anaheim.
—Ben Jones, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
The gang that forms around him is called a carro, or car.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
In another, Ada soothes her twisted ankle in an ice bucket intended for a fellow model’s birthday champagne (there’s also a cake, something no model has ever eaten); or forms an instant bond with a more seasoned colleague (Yuliia Ratner), a Ukrainian displaced by war, just like her.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Dwarf golden sweet flag forms a mat of golden-green foliage over time and is semi-evergreen.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forms
Noun
-
Simply line up the shapes on the end of each beam to put together for an obstacle course or indoor play.—
Katrina Cossey,
Parents,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Soak the designs in a bowl of cold water and then apply the leaf shapes to plain or colored vases to decorate your living room with fall spirit.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
If tax records and documents do not add up, employers and employees may be arrested and detained as investigators sort out who is illegally present in the United States or illegally employing workers.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Scott Olson/Getty Chinese President Xi Jinping and Tunisian President Kais Saied witness the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents in various fields including green and low-carbon development and investment after their talks in Beijing, capital of China, May 31, 2024.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Her comments come as Democrats face a leadership crossroads in Washington, with long-serving figures under scrutiny and younger candidates pushing for change.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Plenty of timepiece brands increased their prices, too, in response to those initial tariff figures back in April, according to Hodinkee.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At the Hōshi Ryokan, the daily rituals of preparing baths or meals resemble a kind of stewardship — something that has kept the inn alive for more than 1,300 years.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Sep. 2025
-
While modest in size, it’s thoughtfully designed—offering pro-lift facials, ultra-glow peels, Himalayan salt rituals, hot stone therapy, and deeply restorative treatments like the Pro Sleep and Indian head massages.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
As the late historian Barry Rubin documented in his biography of Arafat, the Palestinian leader used a variety of methods, both buying off and burying his opponents.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Despite their mass use, Manuylov hopes to convince various associations and research boards to conduct comparative field tests of the classic methods versus his own.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In one picture, the married couple's younger son, Joaquin, looked like a spitting image of his dad, both showing off their toned physiques in a shirtless snap by the water.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Her response was simple - audiences shouldn’t be forced into legacy formats.—
Jane Hanson,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
In an era when more one-time TV viewers turn to streaming for on-demand consumption of their favorite dramas, comedies and movies, news is one of the few programming formats that captures a large audience of simultaneous viewers — something advertisers continue to crave.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That vulnerability crystallizes in her scenes opposite French screen legend Daniel Auteuil, who plays her ex-husband, Gabriel.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Coherence crystallizes when daily work aligns with broader goals, even under pressure.—
Scott Hutcheson,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forms. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share