WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

take shape
    v 1: develop into a distinctive entity; "our plans began to take
         shape" [syn: form, take form, take shape, spring]

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

19 Moby Thesaurus words for "take shape":
   come together, crystallize, draw up, fall in, fall into line,
   fall into place, fall into rank, form, gather around, materialize,
   place itself, rally round, range itself, shape, shape up,
   take form, take its place, take order, take rank