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Dictionary.com
Definitions

take shape

VERB
crystallize
Synonyms
WEAK
assume a pattern become definite become delineated form into crystals take form
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 shape up show up take on character
Antonyms
STRONGEST
end halt
STRONG
decline decrease lessen
WEAK
break destroy hurt kill neglect ruin
VERB
jell
Synonyms
STRONGEST
crystallize materialize
STRONG
clot cohere condense congeal finalize form freeze gel gelatinize harden jellify jelly set solidify stick stiffen thicken
WEAK
come together gelate
Antonyms
STRONG
displace liquefy loosen melt remove separate soften thin
WEAK
liquidate
VERB
loom
Synonyms
STRONGEST
brew come on dominate emerge hover mount overshadow portend soar stand out threaten
STRONG
approach await bulk dawn emanate figure gather impend impress issue lower menace near overhang overtop rear rise show top tower
WEAK
be at hand be coming be forthcoming be imminent be in the cards be in the wind be near become visible break through come forth come into view come on the scene hang over make up seem huge seem large
Antonyms
STRONGEST
decline fall leave
STRONG
abandon descend drop neglect
VERB
materialize
Synonyms
STRONGEST
appear emerge happen occur realize take place turn up unfold
STRONG
actualize coalesce develop embody evolve exteriorize externalize hypostatize manifest metamorphose objectify personalize personify reify substantiate symbolize typify visualize
WEAK
be incarnate be realized become concrete become real become visual come about come to pass corporealize entify make real personize pragmatize substantialize take form
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disappear hide leave lose
STRONG
decrease halt stop

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.

In the courtyard, that vision is already beginning to take shape.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

What initially seemed unlikely is now becoming more plausible, with the risk of a stagflationary environment starting to take shape, SimCorp’s Olivier d’Assier said in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

It was uncharacteristically experimental from Wiegman considering this was their first competitive fixture since Euro 2025 and it took time to take shape.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

His strategy began to take shape late last year, when he announced a $13 billion investment in the U.S. and five new vehicles.

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

An important consequence follows from this argument: we should not really expect to find reliable science before scientific communities began to take shape in the 1640s.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton