build up 1 of 2

verb

Definition of build upnext
1
as in to increase
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number static electricity built up on the cat's fur

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Relevance

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2
as in to gain
to gradually increase in the roller coaster built up momentum

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to accumulate
to gradually form into a layer, pile, or mass evidence that the toxic chemical builds up in the bloodstream to unhealthy levels

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to expand
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

buildup

2 of 2

noun

as in promotion

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of build up
Verb
Manage Stress — Some stress is inevitable, but being in chronic fight-or-flight can speed up brain aging and inflammation build up. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 14 Aug. 2026 Rather than build up to an intense moment like this, Obreht opens the novel with a catastrophe. — Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
Health inspector found black slime buildup inside the ice machine. — Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2026 This buildup, called plaque, narrows and hardens the arteries, causing health problems. — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for build up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for build up
  1. increase
  2. gain
  3. accumulate
  4. expand
  5. promotion
  6. rise
  7. gather
  8. accelerate
Verb
  • The kingdom has faced increasing attacks from the Houthis, who also declared a blockade on the al-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea on July 20.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Nor would increased options out wide and a central defender, The Athletic revealing earlier this week that a couple of bids have been rejected for Norway international centre-back Henrik Falchener, 23, from that country’s Viking Stavanger.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of increase
Verb
  • As the perfumery acknowledges, these collaborations allow the brand to gain exposure in other creative spheres while also creating a product that is reflective of both specialties.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026
  • During last week’s earnings call, FanDuel’s parent company, Flutter, noted its prediction market platform can gain customers faster in states where sportsbooks are still under scrutiny.
    — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of gain
Verb
  • Following the successful first model, this iteration will feature binned A19 Pro chips, repurposed from iPhone 17 Pro production, which dictates its release timeline as chip stock accumulates.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Ensuring that intelligence accumulated through one robot does not become useless when the hardware changes.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of accumulate
Verb
  • Investors have increasingly scrutinized the chipmaker’s expanding financial ties with major AI customers.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
  • New business models such as Walmart supercenters, Costco warehouse clubs and Trader Joe’s specialty stores expanded the abundance further.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of expand
Noun
  • Despite playing a pivotal role in Leicester’s promotion to the Premier League in 2014 and then the great escape to avoid relegation a year later that paved the way for surely the most unlikely title success of all-time in 2016, James had no offers.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Rules have tightened in recent years, and officials with children and a spouse in other countries are not eligible for promotion.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of promotion
Verb
  • But after the single-component shots came into use, infections there began to rise.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • That was the evening Hilton, who rose to fame in the early 2000s as a celebrity gossip blogger, appeared to engage in self-harm during a livestream.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of rise
Verb
  • Full of music, dance, and vibrant colors, thousands of people gathered to attend the annual Boston Dominican parade and festival on Sunday afternoon.
    — Paul Burton, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The incident in Bihar occurred near Ashok Dham Temple in Lakhisarai district, as thousands of devotees gathered to offer prayers on the third Monday of Shravan, one of the holiest months in the Hindu calendar.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of gather
Verb
  • The Pole accelerated on the stage’s fourth ascent of the Col d’Eze, but couldn’t open a gap.
    — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Local residents said some drivers spend hours revving their engines and accelerating modified vehicles along Woodward Avenue.
    — Terell Bailey, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of accelerate

Browse Nearby Words

builds up
build up
buildup
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Cite this Entry

“Build up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/build%20up. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of build up for Spanish Speakers

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