shape 1 of 2

noun

Definition of shapenext
1
as in health
a state of being or fitness she was in good shape after having worked outdoors all summer long

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in form
the outward appearance of something as distinguished from its substance that part of the state is known as the panhandle because of its shape

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in physique
the type of body that a person has some specialty clothing stores sell clothing that suits people that have a particular shape

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shape

2 of 2

verb

ˈshāp How to pronounce shape (audio)
1
as in to adapt
to change (something) so as to make it suitable for a new use or situation a dress shaped to the customer's particular figure

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to plan
to work out the details of (something) in advance over the winter the committee shaped the company's new marketing strategy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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 shape
Noun
For much of the following century, food photography functioned as a sort of ethnographic art, a form of restrained realism preoccupied with light and shadow, shape and symbolism. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026 Purpose Of The Plastic English cucumbers, sometimes called hothouse cucumbers or European cucumbers, have a long, narrow shape and a thin, edible skin. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
This aspiration will shape the brewing arms competition more than anything else. — Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026 As Gottschalk cautions, the smart play is to enjoy the convenience while staying conscious of how those digital nudges shape what ends up in your cart. — New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shape
  1. health
  2. form
  3. physique
  4. adapt
  5. plan
  6. condition
  7. geometry
  8. frame
Noun
  • At this point in the WSL’s existence, eight years since becoming a fully professional league, players now ageing out at the title contenders do so with all the advantages — finances, facilities, health — of only knowing full-time football.
    — Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Zambia is particularly sensitive amid tensions over US health assistance and mining, while Kenya is pursuing deeper US trade and investment.
    — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of health
Noun
  • The National Golf Foundation said in May that the number of female on-course golfers rose 45 percent form 2020 to 2025.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • For the two-part exposé, written in diary form, Steinem assumed a fake identity and accepted a job for several weeks as a bunny.
    — Elizabeth Chuck, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of form
Noun
  • What does fitness and physique mean to you in your work and in your everyday life?
    — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Sarah Connor has reshaped her entire persona (not just her physique) in the wake of what happened to her in the first film.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of physique
Verb
  • Critics also questioned whether UCLA’s athletic department had adapted quickly enough to the NIL era.
    — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Over the years, Marco Polo has adapted to the neighborhood’s changing demographics by downplaying its old-world Italian extravagance.
    — Rachel Corbett, Curbed, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of adapt
Verb
  • European governments have planned to expand sanctions to further squeeze Moscow's economy and finances.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Therefore, Entergy plans to purchase additional electricity from the market to serve the data center until more generation is available.
    — Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of plan
Noun
  • Having a healthy lawn means managing soil conditions for the roots, mowing properly, and strengthening the density of the grass by overseeding.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Women would also be screened through a questionnaire, which could then move to treatment for conditions related to hormonal imbalance.
    — Idrees Ali, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of condition
Noun
  • Such components can benefit from additive manufacturing because the technology lets engineers create geometries that would be difficult or impossible to produce with traditional manufacturing methods.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • His research focus is the geometry of the early universe, the physics of fine-tuning and quantum gravity.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of geometry
Noun
  • Its low-profile frame looks clean and modern, while deep seats give you plenty of room to read, watch, or stretch out.
    — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • While the tents have the most charm, imo—ivory canvas walls, Adirondack chairs on wooden porches, true beds with sheepskin throws and wooden frames—the cabins and suites are unsurprisingly the more comfortable option.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of frame

Phrases Containing shape

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shapable
shape
shaped
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Cite this Entry

“Shape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shape. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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