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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Recent Examples of shape (up)
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 12 Nov. 2024
Their ruthless efficiency was even more pronounced with an electric performance from Zay Flowers, who’s shaping up to be the No. 1 wide receiver fans have been clamoring for since … well, the team moved to Baltimore in 1996.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2024
The report comes as the 2024 holiday travel season is shaping up to be a busy and expensive one with travelers expected to spend more this year.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 1 Nov. 2024
Data theft and ransomware attacks against health care and critical third-party providers are still happening at an alarmingly high rate in 2024, which is shaping up to be as severe as last year, the worst on record for health care breaches.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shape (up) 
Verb
The 2024 election is shaping up to be close, with Miller-Meeks currently leading by 796 votes in this race that CBS News characterizes as a toss-up.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 12 Nov. 2024
Their ruthless efficiency was even more pronounced with an electric performance from Zay Flowers, who’s shaping up to be the No. 1 wide receiver fans have been clamoring for since … well, the team moved to Baltimore in 1996.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2024
The report comes as the 2024 holiday travel season is shaping up to be a busy and expensive one with travelers expected to spend more this year.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 1 Nov. 2024
Data theft and ransomware attacks against health care and critical third-party providers are still happening at an alarmingly high rate in 2024, which is shaping up to be as severe as last year, the worst on record for health care breaches.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shape (up)
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Cite this Entry
“Shape (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shape%20%28up%29. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
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