SHAPING UP Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

shaping (up) 1 of 2

verb (1)

present participle of shape (up)

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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shaping up

2 of 2

verb (2)

present participle of shape up

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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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 shaping (up)

Verb

The crisis is shaping up to be one of the most serious threats his government has faced. — Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Indeed, a host of leather goods brands are winning mind — and wallet — share in what’s shaping up as a luxury hangover period. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026 However, the remedies imposed upon Google for that loss are shaping up to be minimal. — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026 After decades of trying, first by her father and then her, Marine Le Pen's fourth campaign for the French presidency is already shaping up as the strongest opportunity for her nationalist, anti-immigration National Rally party to take power. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 The looming vote on the crypto market structure bill known as the Clarity Act is shaping up as a critical test for an industry that's spent years pushing Washington for clearer rules around digital assets. — Tanaya MacHeel,talia Kaplan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026 This festival is already shaping up to include a large dose of politics with the addition of Israel-Gaza doc NAZA and the inclusion of Russian film DAU. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2026 The past summer in Russia has also been shaping up as a bleak season for Putin’s Russia. — Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026 Now, Ring of Honor looks toward the fall in what’s shaping up to be a solid end of the year for some of its key wrestlers. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaping (up)

Verb

Thanks to well above average ocean temperatures due to the Super El Niño, tropical storms and hurricanes south of California are forming at breakneck speed.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Simply use a cleansing balm or micellar water makeup remover that dissolves the pigments and film-forming agents that make the eyeshadow waterproof and long-lasting.

— Laura Sandroni, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of forming

Verb

The catalyst for improving the life conditions of Americans, our hemisphere, and everyone in the world, is to massively expand energy production around the world.

— Willa Rubin, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026
From helping people lose weight to controlling their blood sugar to tamping down inflammation and improving heart health, these medications herald a new age of medicine.

— Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of improving

Verb

The complex legislation — added by gutting and amending a bill known as Senate Bill 492 — was introduced less than three days before the legislative session was to end Monday.

— Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
For a better harvest, Glassey recommends amending the soil before planting fig trees in rocky terrain.

— Rachel Gillett, Martha Stewart, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of amending

Verb

Anybody can be charming to a powerful boss, an attractive stranger, or a potentially useful client; character is more diagnostic when there is little reputational or instrumental benefit to behaving well.

— Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
SwRI’s new toy for sCO₂ testing Their job is to control where and how quickly CO₂ enters the rock formation, prevent unwanted fluids moving around the well, and generally keep the reservoir behaving as intended.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of behaving

Verb

For organizers who gathered, the demand goes beyond reforming how the technology is used.

— Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
In parallel, the United Kingdom is also seeking to accelerate its own regulatory processes by reforming its framework for rare disease therapies.

— Kimberley Jane Barnes, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of reforming

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shaping

shaping (up)

shaping up

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“Shaping (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaping%20%28up%29. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of shaping (up)

verb (1)

verb (2)

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