BUILD UP Synonyms: 195 Similar and Opposite Words

build up 1 of 2

verb

Definition of build up

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

as in to gain

to gradually increase in the roller coaster built up momentum

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

buildup

2 of 2

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of build up

Verb

Delaware State University, the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Eagles are teaming up to launch One Philly HBCU Week, building up to the rematch of last year's inaugural HBCU Battle of the Legends. — Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 30 July 2026 The approach has been popular among tribal nations looking for more dollars to build up healthcare. — Andrew Jones, NPR, 30 July 2026

Noun

However, this can lead to a buildup of feces and other debris that can make bird baths less safe for birds. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2026 The study further demonstrates that bolstering SORLA has potential as a therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies (a group of brain disorders defined by the buildup of abnormal tau protein). — Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for build up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for build up

Verb

Corporate America has dramatically increased investment in women's sports over the past several years as leagues such as the WNBA and the National Women's Soccer League continue posting record attendance and television ratings.

— Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Houthis’ allies The Houthis are backed by Iran, which began increasing its aid to the group in 2014 as the civil war escalated and as its rivalry with Saudi Arabia intensified.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of increase

Verb

That’s a harder one to argue while trying to figure out how the appeals board could overturn the verdict of the independent regulatory commission, namely that Abramovich’s Chelsea had sought, and gained, a sporting advantage.

— Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
On the other end are enterprises that generate value from AI through productivity and lower costs gained via automating customer service, streamlining business processes, and catching fraud.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of gain

Verb

The holiday standard has accumulated 22 weeks in first place, though that total has been spread across seven years.

— Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
When the question is accumulated knowledge with years of safety and efficacy data, refined dosing, and better patient selection, sponsors are told that information doesn’t go the other way.

— Kat Bryant Knudson, STAT, 31 July 2026

Definition of accumulate

Verb

Start the conversation, suggest the class, or invite someone into a plan that expands the room.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
South Africa's utility, Eskom, plans to develop a 1-gigawatt solar manufacturing facility to capture more value from its fast-expanding solar market and respond to changing electricity demand.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of expand

Noun

With concert sponsorships, great promotions, MC gigs and a collection of engaging DJs, their competition fueled the music.

— Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
Globalist members can also register to participate in a fast track promotion to elite status with Aeroplan.

— Ramsey Qubein, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of promotion

Verb

Eliminating the tax credit didn’t kill the EV market entirely, however, and EV sales in the US actually rose 15% from the first quarter to the second quarter of this year.

— Michael Ballaban, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Exports of high-tech items surged nearly 41% in January-July from the same period the year before, while shipments of vehicles jumped 55% and overall exports of electronics and machinery rose 26%.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

The attack happened in Kabal, a town in Swat Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where demonstrators had gathered near a police station, chanting antimilitant slogans and demanding peace, district police chief Omar Khan said.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
The ferry was reported to be nearly engulfed by flames, with passengers gathered on the bridge and bow.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of gather

Verb

Despite their mass, the mammals do know how to accelerate in water and on land.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2026
In 2020, scientists found that combining snail slime from a common garden snail with gold nanoparticles helped accelerate wound healing and exhibited anti-inflammatory properties in mice.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of accelerate

Browse Nearby Words

builds up

build up

buildup

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Style

“Build up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/build%20up. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of build up

verb

noun

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