as in to form
to take on a definite form
this group of summer interns is shaping up to be one of the best we've ever hired
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to improve
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shape (up)
Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
With two Republicans dissenting, West Hartford’s town council Tuesday night approved the last half of what shapes up to be the biggest development in town since Blue Back Square 18 years ago.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2025
The wide receiver market is shaping up to be just as intriguing.
—Jacob Robinson, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
With Conan O'Brien making his Oscars hosting debut and nominees like Timothée Chalamet, Zoe Saldaña, and Cynthia Erivo vying for top honors, the 97th Academy Awards is shaping up to be a must-watch event.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shape (up)
Verb
Chicago White Sox: Catching up with the catchers at camp, including Korey Lee and Matt Thaiss
For Rule 5 pick Gage Workman, the infielder is trying to force the Chicago Cubs into a tough roster decision
How is the Chicago White Sox rotation shaping up?
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
With two Republicans dissenting, West Hartford’s town council Tuesday night approved the last half of what shapes up to be the biggest development in town since Blue Back Square 18 years ago.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2025
The wide receiver market is shaping up to be just as intriguing.
—Jacob Robinson, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
With Conan O'Brien making his Oscars hosting debut and nominees like Timothée Chalamet, Zoe Saldaña, and Cynthia Erivo vying for top honors, the 97th Academy Awards is shaping up to be a must-watch event.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shape (up)
Cite this Entry
“Shape (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shape%20%28up%29. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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