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.

What had been shaping up as a day of heartbreak for major world economies now had a glimmer of hope for investors eager to see an off-ramp to this conflict.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

The pullback spoils what had been shaping up to be a blockbuster year for crypto.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

The tragedy of this diplomatic disaster is that the meeting, with its treaty signing, had been shaping up to be a success.

From Slate • Feb. 28, 2025

What had been shaping up as a big year for Phil Mickelson has taken a turn for the worse.

From Washington Times • Jul. 9, 2019

At some point, Tia Callida—Hera herself—had talked with Sammy, consoling him and giving him a glimpse into the future, which meant that Hera had been shaping Leo’s life generations before he was even born.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan