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

• disperse
• dissipate
• 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

The American Hiking Society’s hiking resources emphasize matching the route to your current fitness and building up to bigger objectives with shorter practice hikes. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026

This has required dipping into its trust fund, built up over the decades when the Baby Boomers were in their peak earning years. — Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

Noun

The answer began to take shape back in February during the buildup to the season-opening Daytona 500, when Zilisch’s contract status became a frequent talking point in the garage. — Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 23 July 2026

State Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said the explosion was believed to have been caused by a buildup of methane. — Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026