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
Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026
For three months, the participants did treadmill workouts twice a week, gradually building up their fitness.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
Dennis Valera, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
In late January, the US began a massive military buildup around Iran while engaging in talks with Tehran via Omani mediation.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for build up
Verb
In order to prevent the mold from developing in the first place, leave the door slightly open after each use so moisture doesn’t build up inside the drum.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026
For three months, the participants did treadmill workouts twice a week, gradually building up their fitness.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
In December, a report revealed that crowded wires and gas buildup caused one of the fires on Charles Street in 2024.
—Dennis Valera, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
In late January, the US began a massive military buildup around Iran while engaging in talks with Tehran via Omani mediation.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for build up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for build up
Verb
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So ticket prices could quickly start to increase if the conflict lingers.—
CARA RUBINSKY,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The condition is a leading cause of preventable death, increasing the risk of heart disease, kidney disease and stroke.—
Kathleen Felton,
Washington Post,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Faith, or a spiritual connection, also seemed to help women gain the same level of success with the recovery process as men.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
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The American public doesn’t have the appetite for such an eventuality, and that would necessitate Trump gaining Congressional approval, which for now has not yet materialized.—
Javed Ali,
Fortune,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The sheriff had finally accumulated the political power to build the new jail.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
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The real-world mythology of the blood moon Unsurprisingly, given a blood moon's ominous hue, a vast codex of mythology and legend has accumulated around them from various cultures throughout history.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The bill expanded background checks for gun purchasers under the age of 21 and also provided federal money for state red flag laws.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Mar. 2026
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The flagship Semafor World Economy, anchored in Washington DC, is the largest annual gathering of top global CEOs in North America, and Semafor’s convening on emerging economies, The Next Three Billion, is held annually at UNGA and expanded this year to South Africa, East Africa, and UAE.—
Rachel Keidan,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The trial stems from a lawsuit filed in 2024 that alleged the companies have dominated the industry by suffocating competitors and controlling everything from concert promotion to ticketing.—
Larry Neumeister,
Fortune,
3 Mar. 2026
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In that summary judgment, Judge Arun Subramanian dismissed claims that Live Nation has a monopoly over the concert promotion industry, and that its conduct has led to higher ticket prices.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Over the years, Franklin has risen from special teams ace to every-down linebacker.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
This shift comes amid rising government instability in Africa.—
Adrian Elimian,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As additional observations from telescopes around the world were gathered throughout 2025, scientists were able to refine its orbit.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
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In a voice note sent by the second Tehran resident on Wednesday night, the sound of pro-regime demonstrators who had gathered for the first day of official mourning for Khamenei can be heard chanting in the background.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The company has launched a pilot project at its Leipzig plant and established a new Center of Competence for Physical AI in Production to accelerate the global integration of robotics and artificial intelligence.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Mar. 2026
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But war with Iran has accelerated those normal increases, and the impact on prices at pump will be readily apparently in just a matter of days.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Build up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/build%20up. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
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