1
as in health
a state of being or fitness
she was in good shape after having worked outdoors all summer long
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in form
the outward appearance of something as distinguished from its substance
that part of the state is known as the panhandle because of its shape
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to adapt
to change (something) so as to make it suitable for a new use or situation
a dress shaped to the customer's particular figure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to plan
to work out the details of (something) in advance
over the winter the committee shaped the company's new marketing strategy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shape
Malia Griggs, Glamour, 21 Aug. 2025
At the center of the jersey — the heart of the design — interlocking geometric shapes form the city’s name – 'OKC’.
—Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Peter Carline, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Over thousands of years, fire has shaped the very landscape but drainage canals and surrounding farming and development have made the system more vulnerable to patterns of drought and deluge.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shape
Noun
Their shapes and sizes vary, too—you’ll find wide bowls with long teeth that experts say work better on thick, coily hair.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 21 Aug. 2025
At the center of the jersey — the heart of the design — interlocking geometric shapes form the city’s name – 'OKC’.
—Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
From Japan to New Zealand and Canada to Sweden, those players were pioneers who helped shape the history of women’s rugby union.
—Peter Carline, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Over thousands of years, fire has shaped the very landscape but drainage canals and surrounding farming and development have made the system more vulnerable to patterns of drought and deluge.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shape
Noun
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The emphasis is less on turning back the clock than on maintaining skin health over time.—
Carol RH Malasig,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
For the week of Aug. 11, two restaurants in metro Phoenix were cited for four priority health violations.—
Powered By,
AZCentral.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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From Lake Tahoe to Sonoma County, Northern California comes equipped with a wealth of unforgettable tourist destinations that showcase the abundant beauty of the state—and just north of Sacramento, an underrated getaway for nature lovers exists in the form of Butte County.—
Jared Ranahan,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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Ryan, a school psychologist at Oyster River Middle School in Durham, was reportedly diagnosed with glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer, according to the New York Post.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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His sister got him into modeling Asghari also has parlayed his fit physique into a second career in modeling.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
An avuncular figure in his 70s with the physique of a man who has enjoyed life, Pier Luigi fell in love with sailing in his late teens, when a family friend took him for a cruise in a sloop.—
Paul Croughton,
Robb Report,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Navigating these divergent end uses means adapting not just to market demand but to the geopolitical and policy priorities behind it.—
Robert Ginsburg,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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Further south in Long Island, the setting of the original Peter Benchley novel later adapted by Spielberg for the screen, shark sightings are also becoming more common.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The administration also plans to cut funding for gender equality and women’s empowerment programs.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
30 Aug. 2025
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Councilor Michael-Paul Hart plans to ask for a full Council vote on a controversial data center, hoping to shut down the project.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing security operations.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
30 Aug. 2025
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Boone County deputies shot Both deputies underwent surgery at UC Medical Center and were in stable condition, Ridgell said.—
Enquirer staff,
The Enquirer,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
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However, twice a year, the geometry is perfect and the full moon passes through Earth’s shadow, creating a lunar eclipse, while the new moon crosses between Earth and the Sun, producing a solar eclipse.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
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Studying the polarization degree offers insight about the geometry of the black hole and motion of matter nearby.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Our Top Picks for the Best Wayfair Labor Day Deals: A Bedroom Upgrade If your future plans include some major bed rotting all winter, this handsome frame with softened edges is easy to style, especially when dressed up with your favorite fall sheets.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
25 Aug. 2025
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That means that New Line and Warner Bros.’ horror sensation Weapons will be listed as the official winner of the Aug. 22-24 frame with $15.6 million in its third outing for a horrifyingly impressive global cume of nearly $200 million, or $199.4 million through Sunday.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shape. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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