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
Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
An earthquake starts deep underground when huge tectonic forces cause stress to build up along a fault line, a massive fracture in Earth’s crust where blocks of rock have shifted and moved past each other.
—Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
Make sure basements and crawlspaces are ventilated properly to reduce moisture buildup.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for build up
Verb
The divisions underscore the West’s challenges in combating China; following decades of building up its supply chains, Beijing now controls 90% of global processing.
—Semafor Events, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026
An earthquake starts deep underground when huge tectonic forces cause stress to build up along a fault line, a massive fracture in Earth’s crust where blocks of rock have shifted and moved past each other.
—Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
That is changing as Japan accelerates a buildup of its military and defense industry to play more offensive roles in the face of threats from China, North Korea and Russia.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
Make sure basements and crawlspaces are ventilated properly to reduce moisture buildup.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for build up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for build up
Verb
-
Water testing has been temporarily increased to once a month at the Oceanside Harbor after someone reported seeing a suspicious liquid dumped from a boat.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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This sprawling, unchecked population growth just increases water demand.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Moon strengthens Jupiter’s influence, helping your ideas gain traction with the right people.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
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Both firms are keen to acquire the assets given the rarity of gaining exposure to more than 40 ports in a single deal, the people said.—
Shirley Zhao,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The program has accumulated nearly $80 million to support their college and career dreams.—
Debra-Ellen Glickstein,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
And recent research demonstrated how cocaine and its metabolites can accumulate in wild fish such as sharks.—
Gennaro Tomma,
Scientific American,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Somebody who is just living greatness and never rests on that laurel but is always pushing herself to expand as an artist.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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The debate is playing out in Wyoming, a state where many data centers have popped up, including new plans for Microsoft to purchase 3,200 acres of land to expand its data center footprint.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At a Goop-like wellness empire built on female empowerment, Alice meets her doppelganger — a shinier, breezier British import who promptly steals her promotion.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
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The latest agreement builds on longtime ties between NBCU and Roku, spanning FAST channels and the promotion of Peacock programming across Roku.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As truck prices have risen, that tax has become a barrier to investing in newer, safer and cleaner vehicles.—
Andrew Stasiowski,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The price of gas has risen more than 30% since the start of the war.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Relatives of Amal Khalil, a Lebanese journalist who officials and her employer say was killed by an Israeli airstrike yesterday, gathered in Baysariyeh in southern Lebanon this morning to mourn her loss ahead of funeral processions.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
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The energy was high in Vancouver last night as thousands of bartenders, industry insiders, and cocktail enthusiasts gathered for the unveiling of the 2026 edition of North America’s 50 Best Bars.—
Megan Murphy,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As the climate crisis accelerates and urban populations boom, wildfires across the world are becoming larger, burning hotter, and harder to tackle, experts told CNN.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
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Something else must be accelerating these particles, but scientists don’t yet know what.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Build up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/build%20up. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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