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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

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
Lawmakers split the rectangular 13th District into an hourglass shape that carved out Democratic voters in Raleigh and replaced them with a swath of rural counties reaching up to the Virginia border. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 However, around that time, the moon appeared almost full, according to the study, rather than the waning crescent shape van Gogh depicted. — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
The attendees did not know it then, but the ties formed over Jane Marcet’s table that night would go on to shape history. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026 After years of political instability that saw five elections between 2019 and 2022, Tueday's election result could help shape Israel's political, security and economic direction for years to come. — Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 26 Oct. 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
  • The health benefits it is meant to finance aren’t one-time expenses, after all.
    — Ramesh Ponnuru, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Those effects compound quickly in health systems already under strain.
    — Ruby Wang, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of health
Noun
  • Tonight’s Venus cazimi could illuminate which opportunities, ambitions, or forms of recognition genuinely appeal to you now.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The legislation would mandate organ donation signup boxes on federal tax forms and applications for benefits, possibly creating tens of thousands of new donors.
    — Tony Aiello, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of form
Noun
  • The fact that Drew still gazed upon my more than half-a-century-old, decidedly not-hot physique with love and desire was a marvel and a gift.
    — Diana Daniele, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In this iteration, their physiques are displayed not for aesthetic purposes but as a visual manifestation of volatile power.
    — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of physique
Verb
  • Leaders also need to ask whether their systems are becoming easier to understand, control and adapt.
    — Chandini Sheeba, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The company’s theater work began with The Lunchbox Musical, written by Batra and adapted from his 2013 film.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of adapt
Verb
  • Demonstrators plan to take to the streets again Saturday to denounce the high cost of living.
    — ELITSA GADEVA, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The company has not disclosed the specific seeker configuration or guidance architecture planned for the weapon.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of plan
Noun
  • The company aims to develop a wider lineup of electric-propulsion ships suited to different operating conditions and customer requirements.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • That website works great in the demo—under specific conditions and without users with thumbs for fingers.
    — Brian Jenney, IEEE Spectrum, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of condition
Noun
  • Traced through time, this changing geometry would resemble a pair of trousers, with one section branching into two legs.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Nordic Knots’s rug is one way to add a slight edge to your floors, as its sharp geometry on soft wool juxtaposes the severity of the shapes.
    — Alex Eagle, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of geometry
Noun
  • Samsung includes a wall mount and a black bezel in the box, with additional magnetic frame styles available separately to better match your space or taste.
    — Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Because Luke’s Diner was essentially a wooden frame without insulation—and the cast and crew constantly shuffled in and out the door—the December and January shoots on the backlot could be brutal.
    — Mara Reinstein, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of frame

Phrases Containing shape

Browse Nearby Words

shapable
shape
shaped
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shape.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shape. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All