1
as in increasing
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 growing (in)
to gradually increase in
the roller coaster built up momentum
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in accumulating
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 expanding
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of building up
The strength of the onscreen bond between Ryan and Naim is in part due to their actors building up a real friendship before production began.
—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
19 June 2026
While the petition is just the latest in an ongoing crusade to tame the streets, tension in the neighborhood is building up, and for good reason.
—
Anne Kadet,
Curbed,
29 May 2026
Brown is still building up his pitch count with his transition from the bullpen to the rotation, requiring high efficiency facing Major League Baseball’s best offense to give them that many outs.
—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
According to Gabrielle Correale, Ground Up’s director of marketing, the shoe firm is responsible for building up each brand’s footwear category.
—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
Long is in the process of building up to full fitness following his return from Achilles surgery.
—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
The divisions underscore the West’s challenges in combating China; following decades of building up its supply chains, Beijing now controls 90% of global processing.
—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Aside from building up a slight static charge, the Artemis 2 commander said the flywheel was impressive.
—
Tariq Malik,
Space.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Helping the club’s cause was Schlittler, who was expectedly restricted to 68 pitches after a spring training back/lat injury prevented him from fully building up.
—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
19 June 2026
While the petition is just the latest in an ongoing crusade to tame the streets, tension in the neighborhood is building up, and for good reason.
—
Anne Kadet,
Curbed,
29 May 2026
Brown is still building up his pitch count with his transition from the bullpen to the rotation, requiring high efficiency facing Major League Baseball’s best offense to give them that many outs.
—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
According to Gabrielle Correale, Ground Up’s director of marketing, the shoe firm is responsible for building up each brand’s footwear category.
—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
Long is in the process of building up to full fitness following his return from Achilles surgery.
—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
The divisions underscore the West’s challenges in combating China; following decades of building up its supply chains, Beijing now controls 90% of global processing.
—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Aside from building up a slight static charge, the Artemis 2 commander said the flywheel was impressive.
—
Tariq Malik,
Space.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Helping the club’s cause was Schlittler, who was expectedly restricted to 68 pitches after a spring training back/lat injury prevented him from fully building up.
—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for building up
Verb
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In the study, which analyzed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health collected between 2021 and 2024, researchers say that despite numerous state-level bans on kratom across the nation, its use is at an all-time high and is increasing.
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These whales face increasing threats from climate change and human activity.
Verb
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Supporters portray the Business Improvement District as a fix for years of neglect and crime, while opponents fear gentrification, over-policing and businesses gaining control over public space.
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Now your real job is gaining the king’s favor.
Verb
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Less than 60 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, stress has been accumulating for more than a century along the southern San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems.
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The infrastructure gap, however, is already accumulating.
Verb
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Layne’s group has pushed county leaders to fund a continuous drug addiction treatment program, expanding access for those who need it both during and after incarceration.
-
Episode 2 continues that methodology, pairing globally influential artists with scientific inquiry, while expanding the scope of both the artistry and the research.
Verb
-
Not surprisingly, the number keeps rising.
-
Enter Maddie’s Secret, Early’s directorial debut, which follows a chef at GourMaybe Test Kitchen whose rising place in the food-influencer world clashes with her lifelong struggle with bulimia.
Verb
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The intuitive Moon in your 10th House of Career and Status squares information-gathering Mercury in your 7th House of Partnership, pulling leadership choices into relational focus.
-
Similar storm-clouds are now gathering around Sánchez, a canny politician known for outwitting his opponents.
Verb
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Australia is accelerating efforts to protect frontline troops from the growing threat of small drones, awarding a contract to defense technology firm OpenWorks under the Australian Defence Force’s Land 156 counter-drone program.
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ReelShort is accelerating its Southeast Asia expansion with a new strategic partnership with Philippine telecommunications giant Globe, even as founder and CEO Joey Jia says the future of the company extends far beyond microdramas.
Verb
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That enhanced fiber swelling under microwaving exposes a greater number of accessible binding sites for pigment on keratin.
-
While the Hamptons enjoy a swelling population of seasonal residents, many of whom live in palatial mansions, the Container Studio was built for an artist looking for a compact creative space close to her Hamptons home.
Cite this Entry
“Building up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/building%20up. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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