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
Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
As Connecticut has been rolling up budget surpluses since Lamont took office in 2019, some lawmakers say the state needs to release money that has been building up through the years.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026
The penalty was awarded despite a video review showing Endrick had his jersey pulled by Monaco captain Denis Zakaria in the buildup to the penalty.
—ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for build up
Verb
With a final tune-up start scheduled for Tuesday’s Freeway Series finale at Dodger Stadium, Ohtani is on track to be fully built up for the start of the season.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
As Connecticut has been rolling up budget surpluses since Lamont took office in 2019, some lawmakers say the state needs to release money that has been building up through the years.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
The president was asked Friday about the buildup.
—NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026
The penalty was awarded despite a video review showing Endrick had his jersey pulled by Monaco captain Denis Zakaria in the buildup to the penalty.
—ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for build up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for build up
Verb
-
Call-out rates have increased at some airports, leading to longer screening times for many passengers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
-
As temperatures swell, so too does the cooling demand which can increase the strain on the power grid of an entire region.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Gemini moon asks you to gain clarity around your priorities.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Nigeria’s conflict has been underway since 2010; in Somalia, the battle against al-Shabab has been going (badly) for more than 17 years; Sahelian jihadist groups have similarly been gaining ground for the past decade.—
Obi Anyadike,
semafor.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Videos of the pack making their way along the highway accumulated over 230 million views online, striking a chord with viewers moved by the animals’ loyalty to one another and determination to return to their families.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The rain accumulated on soil already saturated by downpours from a winter storm a week ago.—
Jessica Hill,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While the senator comes to the position after more than a dozen years in Congress, and with the management experience of running an expanding family plumbing business in Oklahoma, he has not been seen as a key force in immigration issues.—
Rebecca Santana,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Mar. 2026
-
When that happens, Stanley hopes the itinerary will expand beyond Dilworth, NoDa and Plaza Midwood.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In a statement, lifestyle creator Yanina Oyarzo emphasized that the Creator ID component of the platform could protect influencers like herself from being associated with fake promotions.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Mar. 2026
-
There’s a meaningful difference between asking for a promotion and asking for development opportunities.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the meantime, the Bay Area will stay dry on Thursday with a notable warming trend as temperatures rise back into the 80s across the interior, with a more muted warmup (into the 70s) closer to the water.—
Greg Porter,
San Francisco Chronicle,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Tensions rose, neighbors said, to the point that King was heard at times swearing at Kirsten Wells as well as others using vulgar epithets.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After the game, Crawford gathered the entire group of friends and family together on the field for photos.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Longoria darts across the kitchen to gather more gastronomic tidbits and sample leftover morsels.—
Lale Arikoglu,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
According to the South China Morning Post, the China Ship Scientific Research Centre in Wuxi is accelerating its timeline to dominate deep-sea tourism.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The award also honors schools across the state that are accelerating academic progress for two or more groups that have been historically underserved.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Build up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/build%20up. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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