as in forming
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 straightening (up or out)
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
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Recent Examples of shaping (up)
Jan Carabeo, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
River levels are rising in Boise April is shaping up to be the wettest in Boise history, according to previous Idaho Statesman reporting.
—Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 30 Apr. 2026
For trend-watchers tracking where K-pop and high fashion collide, the 2026 Met Gala is shaping up to be the most interesting one in years — and BTS is the wild card worth watching.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
In October, Gurman reported that the device was shaping up to be three times heavier and costlier than the iPad Pros.
—Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026
Teams around the league widely view next year’s class as shaping up to be substantially better than this year’s.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
Coincidentally landing on National Cheddar Fries Day and National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day, the date is shaping up to be a great day for snack-lovers and munchies-havers alike.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
The way May 1 is shaping up right now, schools will be open, but at many of them little of educational worth will be happening.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
Taken together, this race is shaping up to be Steyer’s to lose.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
This year's 5K is shaping up to outpace last year's.
—Jan Carabeo, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
River levels are rising in Boise April is shaping up to be the wettest in Boise history, according to previous Idaho Statesman reporting.
—Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 30 Apr. 2026
For trend-watchers tracking where K-pop and high fashion collide, the 2026 Met Gala is shaping up to be the most interesting one in years — and BTS is the wild card worth watching.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
In October, Gurman reported that the device was shaping up to be three times heavier and costlier than the iPad Pros.
—Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026
Teams around the league widely view next year’s class as shaping up to be substantially better than this year’s.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
Coincidentally landing on National Cheddar Fries Day and National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day, the date is shaping up to be a great day for snack-lovers and munchies-havers alike.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
The way May 1 is shaping up right now, schools will be open, but at many of them little of educational worth will be happening.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
Taken together, this race is shaping up to be Steyer’s to lose.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shaping (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaping%20%28up%29. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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