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
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
Emily Feng, NPR, 5 July 2025
Little by little though, the shape of the evidence began to emerge.
—Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 4 July 2025
Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 22 June 2025
The verdict will go a long way toward shaping the dynamic in 2028.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shape
Noun
Lin's way of breaking down languages by the shape of their words rather than their sounds or alphabets meant his machine theoretically can type English, Russian and Japanese as well, according to the typewriter's manual.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 5 July 2025
Little by little though, the shape of the evidence began to emerge.
—Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 4 July 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, a trio of heavyweight events could also shape the economic and geopolitical mood.
—Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 22 June 2025
The verdict will go a long way toward shaping the dynamic in 2028.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shape
Noun
-
At about $20 less than it’s usually priced, now’s a great time to invest in your cats’ health (for less).—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
10 July 2025
-
His health isn’t great, and Nicole is never around for doctor appointments, etc.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Though disparate impact theory is well-established by the law, Kim said, President Donald Trump has made clear his hostility for this form of discrimination by seeking to eliminate it through an executive order in April.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
5 July 2025
-
Her soft-hued shadow juxtaposed a black wing, which took the form of a thick tail reaching from her outer eye corner to her temple.—
India Espy-Jones,
Essence,
5 July 2025
Noun
-
In the comments section, fans and fellow stars were impressed by the 43-year-old's physique.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
11 July 2025
-
Even host Terry Crews, known for his own buff physique, was impressed.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
The film follows Mark, a Nigerian teen adapting to London life, who stumbles upon the underground Black Secret Service.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
8 July 2025
-
Native Americans during the earliest periods of contact with Europeans in Texas, according to Spanish records, also adapted to the prevailing cycles of seasonal flooding in the state's interior by modifying their economic trade cycles.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
Harkins plans to open a second BackLot at Verrado Marketplace, a shopping mall being built in Buckeye.—
Reia Li,
AZCentral.com,
12 July 2025
-
By the end of 2025, CATL plans to have 1,000 stations across 31 cities.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
Talking with detainees about living conditions is the most important part of a tour, Eskamani said.—
Kairi Lowery,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 July 2025
-
Other health conditions: People with metabolic disorders like obesity or diabetes are at higher risk for developing MASH.—
Suchandrima Bhowmik,
Health,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
Each structure on the island has been built according to sacred geometry, reinforcing energetic coherence.—
Nel-Olivia Waga,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
All of those results reflect the new political geometry of health care: Since the passage of the ACA, federal health care programs have extended their reach up the income ladder even as Trump’s political strength among working-class voters has extended the GOP’s grasp down the income ladder.—
Ronald Brownstein,
Mercury News,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
He’s lost weight off his already tiny frame and has taken over mom’s room.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
7 July 2025
-
Furniture for every room in your home — including sofas, dressers, TV stands, coffee tables, bed frames, ottomans, and more — is up to 56 percent off.—
Toni Sutton,
People.com,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shape. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share