1
as in shape
the outward appearance of something as distinguished from its substance
the wood-carver carved the block of wood into the form of a duck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in manner
personal conduct or behavior as evaluated by an accepted standard of appropriateness for a social or professional setting
it's bad form to throw a tantrum on the court just because you lost a tennis match
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in condition
a state of being or fitness
after a long season off, the football team is back in good form
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
6
as in ritual
an oft-repeated action or series of actions performed in accordance with tradition or a set of rules
we'll use the second form in our church missals for today's Lenten service
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in etiquette
socially acceptable behavior
displayed good form throughout the formal dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in method
the means or procedure for doing something
there are established forms for voting on motions and amendments at meetings
Synonyms & Similar Words
9
10
as in format
the way in which the elements of something (as a work of art) are arranged
museumgoers liked the asymmetrical form of the mobile
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to crystallize
to take on a definite form
my ideas on the subject are just starting to form
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to comprise
to be all the substance of
this one sentence really forms the basis of your argument
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to produce
to bring into being by combining, shaping, or transforming materials
formed the pot out of the clay
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to start
to come into existence
the new company formed from two smaller ones
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to develop
to come to have gradually
I don't want you beginning skiers to form any bad habits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of form
Bob Morgan, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025
On Earth, where tectonic activity constantly exposes fresh rock to the atmosphere, carbonate minerals like limestone form when rock reacts with water and carbon dioxide (CO2).
—Victoria Corless, Space.com, 4 July 2025
Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Ringworm might not form a ring on your feet, groin, or scalp.
—Brandi Jones, Health, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for form
Noun
Demand that our nation treat gun violence in all forms as a crisis that requires immediate, sustained and courageous action.
—Bob Morgan, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025
On Earth, where tectonic activity constantly exposes fresh rock to the atmosphere, carbonate minerals like limestone form when rock reacts with water and carbon dioxide (CO2).
—Victoria Corless, Space.com, 4 July 2025
Verb
The web application provided the ability to simultaneously analyze the opinions of up to 1,000 participants from conflict regions, forming a consensus decision almost instantly.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Ringworm might not form a ring on your feet, groin, or scalp.
—Brandi Jones, Health, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for form
Recent Examples of Synonyms for form
Noun
-
When selecting a sprinkler, look for one with a coverage pattern that most closely matches the area to be irrigated (the shape and size of the space the sprinkler covers should be listed on the package).—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
-
Wreath in shape of football jerseys are displayed at the entrance of the cemetery after the funeral ceremony of Liverpool's Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in Gondomar, on the outskirts of Porto, on July 5, 2025.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
Noun
-
Android tablets are also more appropriate for storing documents, photos, and other files than smart TVs are.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
5 July 2025
-
In 1966: President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Freedom of Information Act into law, which allows the American public to request and access federal agency records and documents save for exemptions pertaining to national security and personal privacy.—
DAILY BRIEFING,
AZCentral.com,
4 July 2025
Noun
-
The bill would also require them to display legible identification, including their agency name or acronym and name or badge number in a manner that remains visible and unobscured by tactical gear or clothing.—
Daniel Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
14 July 2025
-
Because of this, specialty coffee is also a game of logistics, getting coffees out of country in a timely manner in order to preserve the delicate sweetness and complexity that producers had worked so hard to create.—
Christopher Marquis,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Talking with detainees about living conditions is the most important part of a tour, Eskamani said.—
Kairi Lowery,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 July 2025
-
Breidenbach told the Statesman that conditions are forecasted to remain relatively hot and dry for the rest of the summer.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
Surrounded by photography books, four American Girl dolls regarded us from an alcove.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
-
Mattel recently debuted a doll that is dressed in a playful blue polka-dot outfit, sporting a matching pastel purse and, most notably, wearing a continuous glucose monitor on her arm and an insulin pump clipped to her waist.—
Maggie McGrath,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
The ritual, the rhythm, and the sleep that followed – deep and undisturbed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 July 2025
-
For may college football fans around, say, 25-45, EA’s NCAA Football franchise was a ritual every year.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Just as ticket holders are to uphold a certain level of etiquette during matches, the players are expected to do the same.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
1 July 2025
-
Here, etiquette experts weigh in on how to navigate pay-what-you-want scenarios.—
Kristine Gill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
Officials also cited the efficiency of shipping on America's inland waterways compared to other methods.—
Connor Giffin,
The Courier-Journal,
9 July 2025
-
This is a smart age-appropriate method for preparing your child for new experiences, and can easily be recreated at home if your child is still nervous about the dentist even after listening to the song.—
Marilyn La Jeunesse,
Parents,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Form.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/form. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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