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
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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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shape
Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
In that game, the visitors’ 3-2-4-1 shape on the ball was able to cut through Liverpool’s block and Nicolas Jackson’s goal to equalise early in the second half was reflective of that approach.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
My understanding of this was shaped by experiences in Iran’s underground cultural scene.
—Rebecca Ruth Gould, JSTOR Daily, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shape
Noun
The dog was found in rough shape but is recovering, rescuers said.
—Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
In that game, the visitors’ 3-2-4-1 shape on the ball was able to cut through Liverpool’s block and Nicolas Jackson’s goal to equalise early in the second half was reflective of that approach.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
The press headlines reflect this divide and as Iranian and American negotiators prepare to meet, the tone of coverage could shape public opinion and signal how much political room Iran's government has to maneuver.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
My understanding of this was shaped by experiences in Iran’s underground cultural scene.
—Rebecca Ruth Gould, JSTOR Daily, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shape
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shape
Noun
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Since January the Trump administration has slashed federal funding for research projects centered on equity, health disparities and marginalized communities.—
Angel Algarin,
Scientific American,
17 Apr. 2025
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Save the Children, one of UNICEF’s major last-mile distributors, typically gives out emergency therapeutic food at clinics where mothers can also give birth and take their infants for health screenings.—
Hana Kiros,
The Atlantic,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Stage 4 is the most advanced form of melanoma, according to the American Cancer Society.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
10 Apr. 2025
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Each episode unfolds in flashback form, exploring what happened after the adoption.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Dever, thankfully, did not try to achieve a bodybuilder physique for the show, and Abby never should have had one in the game.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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Michigan cornerback Will Johnson Johnson looks like Jalen Ramsey in appearance, physique, and style of play.—
Omar Kelly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Business leaders must be comfortable with continuously adapting strategies to leverage AI advancements.—
Maribel Lopez,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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And the future belongs to those who are willing to adapt, learn, and lead.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Local clubs planned their yearly budgets around when their members could work the concession stands.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Apr. 2025
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The new vehicle is also planned for eventual production in China and Europe, Reuters has previously reported.—
Abhirup Roy,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
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As far as the long-term effects, frequent and heavy alcohol consumption can lead to serious health conditions like liver disease, heart problems, increased cancer risk and damage to the nervous system.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
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The huge wealth gap fueled resentment and demands for better conditions.—
Lauren Frayer,
NPR,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Below, two especially careful 2025 Grand National Ladies Day amateur botanists demonstrate the extreme planar geometry of placing the straw in relation to the blooms.—
Guy Martin,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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So, astronomers have come up with a compromise regarding the geometry of the sun's illumination angle on Venus' disk versus its distance from Earth to determine the time of Venus' greatest brilliancy.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Combining traditional sales and streaming data, the list paints a picture of what Americans are actually listening to, and this frame, that includes one of the hard rock genre’s all-time greatest efforts.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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With a deftness of touch that often belies his 6ft frame, the 25-year-old will often look to drive his team forward single-handedly with his close control.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shape. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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