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.

“While Peretz was shaping an earthly culture that outrivaled heaven’s in its goodness, others were shaping an earthly culture that outrivaled hell’s in its venom,” she concludes.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

It was shaping up to be an expensive year for me: My then-2-year-old had already had an emergency room visit.

From Slate • Apr. 25, 2026

What was shaping up to be a dismal day for major world economies was left with a glimmer of optimism.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

For McLaren, it was shaping up as a nightmare for team boss Zak Brown who feared "that Max guy getting in the middle of our fun".

From Barron's • Oct. 19, 2025

Some ugly patches mixed in here and there but, overall, it was shaping up to look like a mismatched jumble of better than perfect.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry