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Definitions

shape up

[sheyp-uhp] / ˈʃeɪpˌʌp /
VERB
accommodate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adapt adjust fit integrate modify
STRONG
accord accustom agree attune comply compose conform coordinate correspond harmonize proportion reconcile settle suit tailor tailor-make tune
WEAK
bend over backwards don't make waves don't rock the boat go by the book go with the flow make consistent play the game
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disarrange disorder unfit
STRONG
decline deny differ disagree fight mismatch oppose refuse reject upset
WEAK
bar block frustrate hinder impede limit obstruct prevent stop turn away turn out unsuit
VERB
adapt
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acclimate accommodate accustom alter comply conform fit modify prepare readjust revise shape suit tailor
STRONG
change familiarize fashion habituate harmonize make match qualify reconcile remodel square
WEAK
come around get act together get used to grow used to play the game roll with punches
Antonyms
STRONGEST
neglect refuse reject
STRONG
disagree
WEAK
disarrange dislocate disorder disturb unfit
VERB
arrange
Synonyms
STRONGEST
construct decide design determine draft establish lay out manage negotiate organize prepare promote provide resolve schedule tailor work out
STRONG
adapt adjust blueprint chart compromise concert contrive devise direct frame harmonize project quarterback scheme settle
WEAK
agree to come to terms get act together get ready hammer out a deal iron out line up make a connection make ready map out pull a wire pull things together set stage work out a deal
Antonyms
STRONGEST
destroy disorder disorganize hesitate neglect ruin waver
STRONG
confuse disagree disarrange unfit upset
WEAK
derange disperse disturb mix up not plan scatter
VERB
behave
Synonyms
STRONGEST
manage
STRONG
control direct
WEAK
act correctly act one's age act with decorum be civil be good be nice be on best behavior be orderly comport oneself conduct oneself properly demean oneself deport oneself discipline oneself keep one's nose clean keep the peace live up to manage oneself mind one's manners mind one's p's and q's observe golden rule observe the law play fair toe the mark watch one's step
Antonyms
WEAK
act up misbehave
VERB
comply
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acquiesce adhere to give in give up obey observe quit satisfy submit
STRONG
accede accord defer discharge ditto fold fulfill keep mind perform respect yield
WEAK
agree to cave in come around conform to consent to cry uncle don't make waves don't rock the boat fit in give out go along with go with the flow knuckle to knuckle under play ball play the game put out roll over and play dead stay in line straighten up throw in towel toss it in yes one
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disobey dissuade
STRONG
condemn deny disallow disapprove fail ignore neglect oppose prevent refuse withhold
WEAK
decline rebuff reject resist
VERB
condition
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accustom brainwash educate
STRONG
equip habituate inure modify practice program ready sharpen train
WEAK
build up loosen up make ready tone up toughen up warm up whip into shape work out work over
Antonyms
STRONG
forget neglect
VERB
conform
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accommodate attune comply coordinate fit harmonize integrate reconcile tailor yield
STRONG
follow keep mind obey observe proportion square suit tailor-make tune
WEAK
be guided by clean up act don't make waves don't rock the boat fall in with follow beaten path follow the crowd go by the book go with the flow make room meet halfway move over play the game quadrate reconciliate roll with punches run with the pack straighten up toe the line
Antonyms
STRONGEST
deny disagree oppose prevent refuse reject
STRONG
disobey disregard forget ignore neglect
WEAK
differ fight mismatch not correspond
VERB
coordinate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agree harmonize integrate organize regulate
STRONG
accommodate adjust combine conduce conform correlate mesh pool proportion quarterback reconcile synchronize systematize
WEAK
atune get it together get one's act together pull together reconciliate team up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disagree disorganize
STRONG
confuse differ disarrange disconnect disorder divide refuse separate unsuit
WEAK
disintegrate mismatch uncoordinate unrelate
VERB
correct
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alter amend cure improve mend rectify redress regulate remediate remedy repair review revise straighten out upgrade
STRONG
ameliorate better change debug doctor edit emend help launder polish reclaim reconstruct reform remodel reorganize retouch right scrub
WEAK
clean up clean up act do over fiddle with fix up get with it go over make over make right make up for pay dues pick up put in order set right set straight touch up turn around
Antonyms
STRONGEST
break damage depress destroy harm hurt injure maintain remain ruin weaken worsen
WEAK
be permissive blow blunder coddle goof indulge mistake pamper pet spoil
VERB
form
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acquire appear develop set
STRONG
accumulate condense crystallize eventuate grow harden materialize mature rise settle
WEAK
become a reality become visible fall into place show up take on character take shape
Antonyms
STRONGEST
end halt
STRONG
decline decrease lessen
WEAK
break destroy hurt kill neglect ruin
VERB
groom
Synonyms
STRONGEST
comb educate prim tend
STRONG
brush clean coach curry dress drill nurture preen prep prime primp ready refine refresh sleek tidy train
WEAK
lick into shape make attractive make presentable pretty up put through grind put through mill rub down slick up smarten up spiff up spruce up turn out
Antonyms
STRONG
damage dirty forget mess up neglect ruin
WEAK
ignore
VERB
improve
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advance better boost correct develop enhance help increase lift progress promote raise recover reform revamp revise rise upgrade
STRONG
ameliorate amend augment civilize convalesce cultivate edit elevate emend meliorate mend polish purify rally rectify recuperate refine sharpen skyrocket update
WEAK
come around doctor up gain ground look up make strides perk up pick up set right straighten out take off touch up turn the corner
Antonyms
STRONGEST
blow decline decrease demote depress descend deteriorate diminish drop halt hinder hurt lessen lose lower recede reduce repress retreat retrogress stop worsen
STRONG
corrupt damage destroy dirty dull pollute ruin weaken
WEAK
harm injure
VERB
inculcate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
impart indoctrinate instill
STRONG
brainwash communicate drill educate impress inseminate instruct plant program teach
WEAK
break down drum into hammer into work over
Antonyms
STRONG
learn neglect
VERB
look up
Synonyms
WEAK
advance ameliorate come along convalesce gain get better mend perk up pick up progress recuperate show improvement
Antonyms
WEAK
decline wing it worsen
VERB
neaten
Synonyms
STRONG
arrange clean groom order
WEAK
clear the decks fix up put in good shape put in order spruce up straighten up whip into shape
Antonyms
STRONG
disorder disorganize mix up
VERB
progress
Synonyms
STRONGEST
blossom boost develop grow mature
STRONG
ameliorate better gain increase truck upgrade
WEAK
become better make first rate straighten up turn over new leaf
Antonyms
STRONGEST
decrease halt lessen stop
STRONG
lose worsen
WEAK
back up decline deteriorate retreat retrogress
VERB
rally
Synonyms
STRONG
enliven improve invigorate recover recuperate refresh surge
WEAK
bounce back brace up come along come around come from behind get act together get back in shape get better get second wind grow stronger make a comeback perk up pick up pull through regain strength snap out of it turn around turn things around
Antonyms
STRONG
bore damage decline deteriorate dull enervate worsen
WEAK
disperse divide lose regress scatter weaken
VERB
rectify
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amend fix improve redress remedy straighten out
STRONG
adjust debug doctor emend launder mend reform remediate repair revise right scrub square
WEAK
clean up clean up act dial back fix up go over make good make up for pay one's dues pick up put right recalibrate straighten up turn things around
Antonyms
STRONGEST
corrupt harm hurt injure worsen
STRONG
break destroy ruin upset
WEAK
damage
VERB
reform
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amend improve rebuild rehabilitate remake renovate reorganize repair resolve restore revise revolutionize standardize transform
STRONG
ameliorate better convert correct cure emend mend rearrange reclaim reconstitute reconstruct redeem refashion regenerate remedy remodel renew rework uplift
WEAK
bring up to code change one's ways clean up clean up one's act go straight make amends make over swear off turn over a new leaf
Antonyms
STRONGEST
break damage destroy harm hurt injure ruin waver worsen
STRONG
abandon forfeit kill
WEAK
impair
VERB
regulate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adjust administer balance classify conduct control coordinate determine govern handle improve monitor oversee readjust rectify standardize supervise
STRONG
adapt allocate arrange correct direct dispose fit fix guide legislate measure moderate modulate order reconcile rule run set settle square superintend systematize temper time true tune
WEAK
methodize pull things together put in order straighten up tune up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
damage mismanage neglect obey waver worsen
STRONG
confuse disagree disarrange disorder disorganize displace disturb halt leave misguide mislead mix up serve soften unsettle upset
WEAK
deregulate
VERB
remedy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alleviate ameliorate amend assuage correct mitigate rectify redress relieve restore solve straighten out
STRONG
aid attend change control debug doctor ease heal help launder palliate reform remediate renew repair revise right scrub soothe square treat upgrade
WEAK
clean up clean up one's act fiddle with fix up go over make up for pick up put right recalibrate set right set to rights square up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aggravate damage harm hurt increase injure intensify upset worsen
STRONG
block break hinder ignore neglect obstruct remain stay stop
WEAK
get sick
VERB
right
Synonyms
STRONG
adjust amend balance debug doctor emend launder mend overhaul patch recompense recondition reconstruct rectify redress repair restore reward scrub settle square straighten vindicate
WEAK
clean up compensate for dial back do justice fiddle with fix up go straight make up for pick up put in place put right recalibrate set straight set upright sort out straighten out turn around
Antonyms
STRONG
break confuse damage destroy harm hurt injure move punish ruin upset worsen
WEAK
wrong
VERB
systematize
Synonyms
STRONG
arrange array contrive design devise dispose establish frame institute marshal order organize plan project rationalize regulate schematize standardize systemize
WEAK
get act together make uniform methodize pull together straighten up tighten up
Antonyms
STRONG
confuse destroy disarrange disorder disorganize disturb mismanage mix up prevent ruin stop
VERB
systemize
Synonyms
STRONG
arrange array contrive design devise dispose establish frame institute marshal organize plan project rationalize regulate schematize standardize
WEAK
get act together make uniform methodize pull together straighten up tighten up
Antonyms
STRONG
confuse destroy disarrange disorder disorganize disturb mismanage ruin stop
VERB
tailor
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accommodate adapt alter conform fit modify
STRONG
convert custom-make cut dovetail fashion mold quadrate reconcile shape square style suit tailor-make
WEAK
cut to fit make to order
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disarrange
STRONG
disagree refuse
VERB
tidy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fix up spruce spruce up
STRONG
clean frame groom neaten order police straighten tauten
WEAK
clear the decks get act together pull together put in good shape put in order put in shape put to rights straighten up whip into shape
Antonyms
WEAK
dirty dishevel disorder disorganize jumble litter
VERB
trig
Synonyms
STRONG
clean frame groom order police spruce trim
WEAK
clear the decks fix up freshen get act together neaten pull together put in good shape put in order put in shape put to rights slick up spruce up straighten straighten up tauten whip into shape

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It may also shape up as a major test as to whether rich households move away in the face of tax hikes.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

The Ackman twin IPOs shape up as a key test of whether the bonus shares for the closed-end fund will be enough to incent buyers to what has been a moribund closed-end fund market.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

In Brontë’s book, Isabella marries Heathcliff naively believing he might shape up into a gentleman and flees with their son when she realizes that is out of the question.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

Inventory sitting in warehouses ties up capital and if demand doesn’t shape up as planned, having to discount hurts margins, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 7, 2025

I think he thought he was giving me an ultimatum that would get me to shape up.

From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah