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
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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
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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
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
So perhaps a bit of outside force in the form of a new daily planner might help.
—Cora Harrington, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Three suspects have been arrested after the theft of ancient gold Romanian artifacts form a Dutch museum, reports Karen K. Ho for ARTnews.
—The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for form 
Noun
This substance is air pollution in the form of fine particulate matter (known as PM2.5).
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
So perhaps a bit of outside force in the form of a new daily planner might help.
—Cora Harrington, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
Verb
The Northeast Asian country also forms part of a north-south blockade known as the first island chain with Taiwan and the Philippines under a U.S. defense concept that seeks to constrain Chinese air and naval forces in wartime with allied and friendly territories.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Three suspects have been arrested after the theft of ancient gold Romanian artifacts form a Dutch museum, reports Karen K. Ho for ARTnews.
—The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for form
Recent Examples of Synonyms for form
Noun
-
Just as coat type can be unpredictable, the combination of size and shape from two different breeds can vary significantly in each puppy.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
-
The soft Caribbean light plays tricks to add angles and shapes at different hours of the day; at night, the property takes on an otherworldly vibe by candlelight in the 45-foot, triple-height lobby, with its smooth travertine floors and inviting pool table.—
Jacqui Gifford,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Ryan Wilson was hurt and sustained a disabling injury to his right foot, court documents say.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC News,
31 Jan. 2025
-
The document includes a plan to eliminate income taxes (but maintain payroll taxes) on tips, at a cost of $106 billion over a decade.—
Robert Faturechi,
ProPublica,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
And so the manner of death — suicide or homicide — remained an open question.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacramento Bee,
26 Jan. 2025
-
His cause and manner of death will be released by the medical examiner.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Dozens of employees across the government, many of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity because of worries of retribution, described agencies gripped with uncertainty about how to implement the new policies and workers frantically trying to assess the impact on their careers and families.—
Erica L. Green,
New York Times,
25 Jan. 2025
-
This ensures our testing base spans different skin to snes, genders, demographics, and dermatological conditions.—
Jennifer Hussein,
Allure,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
And, for a spell in the nineteen-eighties, Lynch kept a proto-ricky group of identical Woody Woodpecker dolls in his office, named Chucko, Buster, Pete, Bob, and Dan.—
Jessica Winter,
The New Yorker,
28 Jan. 2025
-
At one point, a sleepy Pekingese took notice of Alice’s baby doll.—
Chloe Malle,
Vogue,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Belize is home to hundreds of caverns where Mayan priests once held rituals to petition the gods for rain or a successful harvest.—
Gina DeCaprio Vercesi,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Jan. 2025
-
Some people swear by this calming ritual as a sure-fire way to fall asleep.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Handed out alongside the official program was an etiquette manual.—
Antonia Hitchens,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
-
Read more Prison walls reveal last messages of Assad's detainees Hearts break over rescue cat's reaction to owner packing suitcase Photo of Daniel Penny on NY subway goes viral after acquittal Beyond etiquette, research suggests that strong spousal relationships contribute to well-being.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Shilpa and Jesse, can one of you walk us through your favorite instant pot bean method?—
Bon Appétit,
Bon Appétit,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Start by cooking the corn dog in your oven, air fryer or with your preferred method, following the instructions on the container.—
Cody Godwin,
USA TODAY,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near form
Cite this Entry
“Form.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/form. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
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