SHAPES UP Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

shapes (up) 1 of 2

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of shape (up)

as in forms

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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shapes up

2 of 2

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of shape up

as in improves

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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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 shapes (up)

Verb

Below are Maxwell’s projections and a brief look at how Class A shapes up in 2026. — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The exact way that Chelsea’s defence shapes up around Lacroix will be intriguing. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 25 July 2026 Senate passage of the bill shapes up as a rare bipartisan legislative achievement when much of Republicans’ agenda has stalled. — Michael Casey, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026 As the two bond in short order, our previously flailing hero shapes up very quickly indeed, soon shedding his substance abuse problems and entering a healthy relationship with dreamy social worker Oscar (Diego Calva). — Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 May 2026 Get your popcorn, kick up your feet and get ready for what shapes up to be an epic showdown in the Final Four nightcap on Saturday night. — ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026 The 75th Florida Derby — a top race that has produced 26 Kentucky Derby winners — shapes up as this year’s biggest prep heading into the May 2 Run for the Roses. — Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026 Sunday shapes up to be more than a two-man race. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026 What shapes up as an intriguing seventh year under Coach Jordyn Wieber for the University of Arkansas gymnastics team gets rolling Saturday with the season opener at Minnesota. — Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shapes (up)

Verb

Starring Matthew Gray Gubler, the series follows Lewis Einstein, the brilliant and directionless great-grandson of Albert Einstein, an eccentric professor who forms an unlikely partnership with a sharp detective to tackle the most perplexing cases.

— Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Aug. 2026
The new hub forms part of Coinbase’s wider expansion in the UAE.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of forms

Verb

To drive lasting change, leaders must demonstrate how allyship enhances team performance, improves decision-making, and directly supports individual career trajectories.

— Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Miami improves to 66-64 on the season to stay on the outskirts of the National League’s wild card race and has won seven of eight games this year so far against the Nationals (61-70).

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of improves

Verb

The Santini-Burton Modernization Act amends a 1980 law that allows the Forest Service to purchase environmentally sensitive land in the Tahoe Basin.

— Haley Parsley August 17, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Then, as homes are sold, responsibility passes to an HOA board that interprets, enforces and sometimes amends the rules.

— Daniel Kramer, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of amends

Verb

There’s that churro bread pudding, the one with a junkyard origin story that breaks down the churros and then reforms them into a dense and perfect block as powerful as an Avengers movie prop.

— Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Apr. 2026
Kentucky's General Assembly has passed House Bill 2, which reforms the state's Medicaid program.

— Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Apr. 2026

Definition of reforms

Verb

If a coyote behaves aggressively or poses an immediate threat to people, move to a safe location and call 911.

— Todd Feurer, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
That connection could give advanced software a more realistic understanding of how a specific nuclear plant behaves.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of behaves

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shapes (up)

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“Shapes (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shapes%20%28up%29. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of shapes (up)

verb (1)

verb (2)

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