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

That's odd given the hype Tesla built up at the Cybercab reveal in 2024. — New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026

More recently, the Yemeni government has built up a rival drone arsenal. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Noun

Choose something gentle that isn’t petroleum-based, such as Castile soap, to avoid leaving a residue or buildup on your floors, adds Becky Rapinchuk, founder of Clean Mama. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 2 Sep. 2026

All three will blame their adversaries for making the buildup necessary, but in truth each country will be racing itself, driven by its own fears and internecine politics. — Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026