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
Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
As Connecticut has been rolling up budget surpluses since Lamont took office in 2019, some lawmakers say the state needs to release money that has been building up through the years.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
That breathability appears to help prevent odor buildup as well.
—Joe Jackson, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for build up
Verb
With a final tune-up start scheduled for Tuesday’s Freeway Series finale at Dodger Stadium, Ohtani is on track to be fully built up for the start of the season.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
As Connecticut has been rolling up budget surpluses since Lamont took office in 2019, some lawmakers say the state needs to release money that has been building up through the years.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
This decrease, in turn, lessens the force responsible for fibrosis, a buildup of scar tissue that harms organs.
—Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
That breathability appears to help prevent odor buildup as well.
—Joe Jackson, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for build up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for build up
Verb
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This kind of early-season heat can also increase fire weather concerns across parts of Colorado, especially when warm temperatures combine with dry air and gusty winds.—
Joe Ruch,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
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But the Denver offense, which increased the pressure in the final minutes of the match, couldn’t find the back of the net again.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Digital marketing Careers in digital marketing and agricultural communications also are gaining traction, with consumers increasingly being interested in where their food comes from.—
Metro Creative Services,
Boston Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
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Åberg has put on a ball-striking clinic through three days and leads the field in driving distance, strokes gained tee to green and average proximity to the hole.—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Jacob has one year and 59 days of MLB service time accumulated between his six stints with the Padres over the past three seasons.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
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The career milestones will accumulate.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Other bank expansions in Charlotte Several other banks have been expanding in the Charlotte region, too.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
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Production plans call for an initial deployment of dozens of units this year, scaling to thousands annually as manufacturing capacity expands.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Platforming prominent names like Andrew Tate, the manosphere and its promotion on social media are being debated in all corners of society at present.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
17 Mar. 2026
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Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the city’s leading trade promotion agency, the event has grown over three decades into Asia’s foremost marketplace for film and television content.—
Faye Bradley,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Lambermont pushed back on the assertion that data centers are squarely to blame for rising electricity bills.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
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It is also called Resurrection Sunday and is celebrated as the day Jesus rose from the dead.—
Faith Bugenhagen,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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On March 18th, Hadi gathered with friends to celebrate Chaharshanbe Suri, a festival of fire on the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which begins on March 20th.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
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Before sunrise in downtown Dallas, volunteers gather in near silence, scanning sidewalks and glass towers for signs of birds that didn’t survive the night’s migration.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Military robot surge Foundation is accelerating the development of military-capable humanoid robots, with plans to manufacture up to 50,000 units by the end of 2027.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
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This is especially important after age 65, which is when muscle loss accelerates, Zinn says.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Build up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/build%20up. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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