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
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
Pressure built up, which cracked the heat shield and ultimately resulted in larger pieces chipping off during the final reentry.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
Every Surface First The foundation of spring curb appeal is removing winter buildup.
—Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for build up
Verb
About 24 seconds after its final descent, Orion will go out of contact with mission control for about six minutes as plasma builds up around the spacecraft.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
Pressure built up, which cracked the heat shield and ultimately resulted in larger pieces chipping off during the final reentry.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
Pressure wash away stains and dirt buildup.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
Every Surface First The foundation of spring curb appeal is removing winter buildup.
—Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for build up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for build up
Verb
-
The MorphoScan’s measurements ebbed and flowed from day to day as expected, with my weight dropping the day after a cardio workout and increasing after a weekend of indulgence.—
Andrew Gebhart,
PC Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
-
UConn recovered from its prolonged shooting slump to regain its bearings, eventually increasing its lead to 10 points on a Mullins’ 3 with 47 seconds left in the half before heading into the locker room up 37-29.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Loopt struggled to gain users, and in 2012 it was acquired by a fintech company.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Wennberg won a puck battle deep in the Predators’ zone before William Eklund gained possession.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The gaps between cushions These high-touch and hidden areas accumulate dust, crumbs and body oils that regular surface cleaning won’t reach.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The accumulating studies on individual systems suggest that plants and their fungi cannot be understood separately.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Its owners have expanded their impact and influence to the nearby community to limit development and maintain its cultural identity, which includes restoring and caring for the historic stone buildings from the salt trade era.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
-
This will expand affordable rental options and enable home repairs, solar installations and energy upgrades.—
Chase Jordan
April 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Sometimes, ballpark promotions work out just great.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
As Shivers loosely acknowledged, his promotion comes at a pivotal time for his agency as The Team is currently up for sale following the scandal that surrounded founder Casey Wasserman over his inclusion in the Epstein Files.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Between rising costs, vanishing support systems and nonstop scrutiny, parenthood, as Ej Dickson describes in One Bad Mother, has started to feel less like a choice than a trap.—
Micah Barkley,
Bloomberg,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Vance’s top dog status could spur rivals in both parties to portray him as the face of an unpopular war that voters blame for rising inflation and the all-important price of gas at the pump.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Quick, tight, and dense, TDS gathers the latest automotive headlines from around the globe and places them all in one spot.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Such mutations can accelerate a tumor’s growth, making the cancer harder and harder to treat and sometimes, as in this instance, claiming the patient’s life.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Netanyahu backed the bill despite warnings of an international backlash accelerating Israel’s diplomatic isolation in Europe and beyond.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Build up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/build%20up. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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