Dense, flaw-free, complex shaped, three-dimensional, reinforced inorganic articles are formed by a process including the steps of providing a low viscosity suspension of solids, generally either ceramic or metallic, present at least at about 35 vol.%, reinforcement material having a high aspect ratio (e.g., fibers, whiskers, platelets), and dispersant, and shaping the suspension under low shear forces to produce a green article that can be pressureless sintered to net shape with minimal distortion. Shaping can be accomplished by casting or low pressure injection molding (less than about 100 psi) or by a freeze-forming and freeze-drying process. The low viscosity of the molding slurry and forming under low shear stress avoids reinforcement particle alignment. Accordingly, sintered articles exhibit a high tolerance to the originally molded shape and very little distortion during densification.