Synonyms of build up

build up 1 of 2

verb

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

• increase
• rise
• accelerate
• swell
• expand
• climb
• roll up
• multiply
• wax
• intensify
• accumulate
• spread
• gain
• proliferate
• mount
• escalate
• enlarge
• boom
• appreciate
• jump
• surge
• mushroom
• balloon
• snowball
• heighten
• rocket
• burgeon
• puff (up)
• skyrocket
• blow up
• peak
• bulk
• redouble
• inflate
• distend
• crescendo
• crest

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decrease
• diminish
• contract
• recede
• lessen
• wane
• dwindle

2

as in to gain

to gradually increase in

the roller coaster built up momentum

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gain
• grow (in)
• gather
• pick up
• accumulate
• double (in)
• expand
• accrue
• stimulate
• triple (in)
• enhance
• maximize
• extend
• step up
• enrich
• mount
• excite
• amass
• enlarge
• ramp (up)
• elevate
• boost
• jack (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decrease (in)
• lose
• fall (in)
• decline (in)
• diminish (in)
• lessen
• dip
• abate
• taper off
• taper
• dwindle

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

• accumulate
• gather
• pile (up)
• collect
• concentrate
• stack (up)
• conglomerate
• amass
• mass
• drift
• accrete
• lump
• ridge
• agglutinate
• clump
• bank

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dissipate
• disperse
• scatter

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

• increase
• expand
• accelerate
• boost
• augment
• raise
• add (to)
• multiply
• extend
• pump up
• enhance
• reinforce
• amplify
• swell
• maximize
• compound
• escalate
• intensify
• strengthen
• enlarge
• stoke
• aggrandize
• draw out
• up
• supplement
• blow up
• develop
• jump
• supersize
• bump (up)
• hype
• spike
• flesh (out)
• complement
• lengthen
• stretch
• heighten
• skyrocket
• boom
• inflate
• prolong
• ratchet (up)
• distend
• dilate
• elongate
• beef (up)
• follow up
• accumulate
• rachet (up)
• collect
• protract
• magnify
• amass
• parlay

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• decrease
• subtract (from)
• diminish
• lower
• lessen
• abate
• downsize
• dwindle
• shorten
• curtail
• abridge
• cut back
• abbreviate
• minify
• contract
• de-escalate
• compress
• condense
• constrict
• retrench

buildup

2 of 2

noun

as in promotion

Related Words

• promotion
• campaign
• publicity
• propaganda
• boost
• release
• announcement
• promo
• ad
• advertisement
• plug
• notification
• posting
• bulletin
• circular
• communiqué
• ballyhoo
• notice
• sign
• brochure
• flyer
• advertising
• fly sheet
• advert
• commercial
• bill
• billing
• billboard
• broadcast
• pitch
• message
• poster
• telecast
• handbill
• gazette
• broadside
• placard
• come-on
• handout
• communication
• show bill
• declaration
• promulgation
• blurb
• playbill
• pronouncement
• newscast
• dispatch
• spot
• proclamation
• report
• word
• cablecast
• plugola
• signification
• edict
• rescript
• annunciation
• pronunciamento

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of build up

Verb

Florida won’t get the next SpaceX Starship launch, but with the first of three launch towers on the Space Coast near completion, Elon Musk expects the company to build up the launch rate quickly. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

But this wasn’t too surprising considering most major productions require story build up, character development, and before we’re eventually locked in. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Noun

The warewash machine was also not sanitizing, and there was buildup on the blade of the table-top can opener, ice chute in the ice machine, inside the table-top air oven in the sushi area and throughout the microwave in main kitchen. — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026

Instead of relying on a gritty scrub (which can be harsh on delicate lip skin), Obagi’s Lip Therapy AHA+PHA Smoothing Micro-Peel uses three exfoliating acids—glycolic, lactic, and gluconolactone—to gently loosen buildup and smooth rough texture. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Oct. 2026