1
as in to increase
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
static electricity built up on the cat's fur
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to gain
to gradually increase in
the roller coaster built up momentum
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in promotion
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of build up
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
19 June 2026
The strength of the onscreen bond between Ryan and Naim is in part due to their actors building up a real friendship before production began.
—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
19 June 2026
ABC News,
24 June 2026
Flushable wipes stick to pipes and don’t dissolve like toilet paper, creating buildup and serious blockages.
—
Mallory Carra,
The Spruce,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for build up
Verb
Dozens of other states followed suit to recognize it as a holiday or an observance in the ensuing decades as grassroots campaigns to expand its official acknowledgement built up.
—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
19 June 2026
The strength of the onscreen bond between Ryan and Naim is in part due to their actors building up a real friendship before production began.
—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Noun
The Italian star hasn't entered any tour-level events in the buildup to the grass-court Grand Slam, which starts Monday, so his 6-3, 6-3 victory over Cam Norrie in sweltering west London will have to suffice.
—
ABC News,
24 June 2026
Flushable wipes stick to pipes and don’t dissolve like toilet paper, creating buildup and serious blockages.
—
Mallory Carra,
The Spruce,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for build up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for build up
Verb
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Your visibility increases with the start of Cancer season.
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Health officials said the risk of exposure could increase as summer travel ramps up and Los Angeles welcomes international visitors for FIFA World Cup events being held in the region.
Verb
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Rhaenyra’s army, led by her uncle and husband Daemon (Matt Smith), is gaining strength as they’re joined by a grizzled pack of House Stark northmen known as the Winter Wolves.
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Trump might soon gain another ideological bedfellow in Peru with the election of Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of late autocrat Alberto Fujimori.
Verb
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The military held a similar security strip from 1985 until 2000, before withdrawing after years of steady casualties, a toll that is accumulating once again.
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Rainwater tends to accumulate at the road edges.
Verb
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Love’s Travel Stops just expanded its service offerings for RVs, including light maintenance, battery replacement and tire replacement.
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California's new personal finance graduation requirement The lessons come as California prepares to expand financial education statewide.
Noun
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That’s exactly how Comber — now store director, after a promotion — has used it.
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Amron, Dane, Amanda and Alondra bring deep relationships and a modern understanding of the business, and Chinazam and Kashia have each earned these promotions through hard work and strong instincts.
Verb
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The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
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At the same time, agriculture is one of the sectors most threatened by climate change, with rising temperatures set to devastate food crops around the world.
Verb
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On this late May evening, the 15 men gathered there were contemplating tackling something few had previously had the courage or skill to take on.
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Early yesterday, as Argentina sealed a 3-0 victory over Algeria, hundreds of fans gathered on the courtyard lawn of Beijing’s Argentine Embassy to cheer the team on.
Verb
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Britain's revolving door of prime minister, affecting both Labour and Conservative parties, accelerated in the wake of the 2016 Brexit vote to leave the European Union economic bloc.
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And the pace of technology change is only accelerating.
Cite this Entry
“Build up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/build%20up. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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