reshape
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Etymology
Origin of reshape
Explanation
When you reshape something, you change or transform it completely. You can reshape a lump of clay, but you can also reshape your plans for your life. A government can reshape the country's energy plan, incorporating more environmentally friendly systems. And a school committee can reshape the high school curriculum, adding higher-level science classes and more choices in the art department. It's also possible to reshape things in a more literal way, squeezing bread dough as you reshape it to fit a different pan, for example.
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.
A landmark decision last month in Los Angeles County Superior Court could reshape how tech companies are held accountable for harm to children from their products.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026
And artificial intelligence, which is poised to reshape the U.S. economy, is built on decades of government support for computer science, from Darpa and other agencies.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026
The company plans to cut prices and reshape its product portfolio to revive its U.S. business amid declining sales volume.
From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026
These results could reshape how scientists think about aging and longevity.
From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026
It was as strong as poison and for once I didn’t fight it down or try to reshape it as something polite.
From "How I Live Now" by Meg Rosoff
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
