buy up

verb

bought up; buying up; buys up

transitive verb

1
: to buy freely or extensively
2
: to buy the entire available supply of

Examples of buy up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
About eight years ago, a California Forever subsidiary called Flannery Associates started buying up farmland, eventually spending about $950 million on some 70,000 acres, the New York Times reported. Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026 Moscow, meanwhile, is widely seen as remaining wary of opening the door for Chinese security engagement in the Arctic, hoping instead that China will continue to buy up energy and broaden its role building out a lucrative NSR. Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 But the Salvatos divorced in 1986, and Antonia eventually turned her energy to Millbrook, buying up old buildings to restore, including the town’s newspaper office. Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 13 Aug. 2026 The one-year resale restriction is also designed to keep developers from buying up the collection and preserve the brand’s exclusivity. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for buy up

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of buy up was circa 1534

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Buy up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buy%20up. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on buy up

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster