build up

1 to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number <static electricity built up on the cat's fur> Synonyms accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, increase, burgeon (also bourgeon), climb, enlarge, escalate, expand, gain, mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, rise, roll up, snowball, spread, swell, waxRelated Words jump, rocket, skyrocket, surge; heighten, intensify, redouble; blow up, bulk, distend, inflate, puff (up); crescendo, crest, peakAntonyms contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane

2 to gradually increase in <the roller coaster built up momentum> Synonyms gain, gather, grow (in), pick upRelated Words double (in), triple (in); accrue, accumulate, amass; excite, stimulate; enhance, enlarge, enrich, expand, extend, maximize; boost, elevate, jack (up), mount, ramp (up), step upNear Antonyms abate, decline (in), diminish (in), dip, dwindle, fall (in), lessen, taper, taper offAntonyms decrease (in), lose

3 to gradually form into a layer, pile, or mass <evidence that the toxic chemical builds up in the bloodstream to unhealthy levels> Synonyms accrete, accumulate, amass, collect, concentrate, conglomerate, gather, mass, pile (up), stack (up)Related Words agglutinate, clump, lump; bank, drift, ridgeNear Antonyms disperse, dissipate, scatter

4 to make greater in size, amount, or number <he patiently built up his coin collection over several decades> <the young stockbroker worked hard to build up a clientele> Synonyms accelerate, add (to), aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, increase, compound, enlarge, escalate, expand, extend, hype, multiply, pump up, raise, swell, stoke, supersize, upRelated Words boom, jump, skyrocket, spike; bump (up), ratchet (up) also rachet (up); blow up, dilate, distend, inflate; draw out, elongate, flesh (out), lengthen, prolong, protract, stretch; develop, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify; complement, supplement; beef (up), reinforce (also reenforce), strengthen; maximize; accumulate, amass, collect; follow up, parlayNear Antonyms abbreviate, abridge, curtail, shorten; compress, condense, constrict, contract; cut back, retrenchAntonyms abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, minify, reduce, subtract (from)