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
And finally, having ample levels of magnesium can keep calcium from building up inside your muscles, which may ward off cramps and tension.
—
Erica Sloan, SELF, 6 Mar. 2026
Benning's goals for the next year include continuing to work through deferred maintenance, building up city infrastructure, updating city ordinances, expanding housing opportunities and helping the city develop a new strategic plan, which is due for a refresh in 2026.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
For three months, the participants did treadmill workouts twice a week, gradually building up their fitness.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
Others said that Zaslav credited the individual teams for rebuilding the movie and TV studio and building up the streaming platform.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
Line your fridge’s bins and shelves with items like tea towels, non-sticky shelf liners, or fridge mats to prevent stains from building up.
—Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 27 Feb. 2026
Germany has committed 100 billion euros to modernize its military, and Poland is building up its armed forces with a goal of amassing 300,000 troops.
—Alan Cullison, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
This corona gets all twisted up with magnetic fields, building up tension until, boom, a flare lets it all out.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Israel has long mistrusted UNIFIL, accusing it of failing to prevent Hezbollah from building up its military presence along the border in violation of ceasefire agreements going back two decades.
—Abby Sewell, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Erica Sloan, SELF, 6 Mar. 2026
Benning's goals for the next year include continuing to work through deferred maintenance, building up city infrastructure, updating city ordinances, expanding housing opportunities and helping the city develop a new strategic plan, which is due for a refresh in 2026.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
For three months, the participants did treadmill workouts twice a week, gradually building up their fitness.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
Others said that Zaslav credited the individual teams for rebuilding the movie and TV studio and building up the streaming platform.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
Line your fridge’s bins and shelves with items like tea towels, non-sticky shelf liners, or fridge mats to prevent stains from building up.
—Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 27 Feb. 2026
Germany has committed 100 billion euros to modernize its military, and Poland is building up its armed forces with a goal of amassing 300,000 troops.
—Alan Cullison, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
This corona gets all twisted up with magnetic fields, building up tension until, boom, a flare lets it all out.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Israel has long mistrusted UNIFIL, accusing it of failing to prevent Hezbollah from building up its military presence along the border in violation of ceasefire agreements going back two decades.
—Abby Sewell, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for building up
Verb
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The series became a bestselling book, increasing Anderson’s profile as an incisive commentator with biting wit but very little malice.—
Jessica Lipsky,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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With tax incentives reduced and competition increasing, analysts expect EV sales growth in China to slow.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The amendment was designed specifically to prevent any one person from accumulating unchecked executive power — a guardrail the founders themselves failed to install.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
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In addition to accumulating draft capital for 2027, this question will have to be part of their war room conversations.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After observing Choe Hyon's sea trials on Tuesday, Kim said the ship met operational requirements and called it a symbol of the country's expanding naval capabilities.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
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Ukrainian manufacturers have developed low-cost interceptor drones specifically designed to hunt and destroy Shaheds, and its rapidly expanding drone industry is producing excess capacity.—
Illia Novikov,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In many of the world’s most intriguing superconducting materials, superconductivity appears only within a curved region of a phase diagram, rising to a peak before fading again.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Mar. 2026
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Over the past four years, the number of New Zealanders aged 30-50 emigrating has more than doubled – from 18,000 to 43,000 – fueled by rising living costs and a weakening job market, demographers told CNN.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Exclusive restaurant memberships, gyms, creative spaces, social clubs and more are gaining more popularity as consumers search for ways to build community outside of their houses and offices.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
7 Mar. 2026
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The move away from cropped hems serves multiple purposes by adding length to the leg while projecting an effortless aura, which is why the style is gaining traction regardless of style.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Multiple sub-Saharan African countries had seen credit-rating upgrades in recent months thanks to improving fiscal situations, falling global interest rates, and accelerating economic growth.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
5 Mar. 2026
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Destroying Iran’s missile threat Israeli intelligence assessments before the operation indicated Iran was accelerating its ballistic missile production with plans to reach 8,000 missiles by 2027.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The hallmark symptom of mumps is swelling of one or both parotid glands, which can cause puffy cheeks and tenderness along the jaw.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
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Symptoms include swelling, itching, or irritation of the mouth or throat; hives or an itchy rash; nasal congestion; headache; trouble breathing; cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Despite the warning, Garcia’s orders never changed, and McIndoe spent a couple hours or so that morning rolling up hose lines.—
Alene Tchekmedyian,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2026
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In his deposition, Pike described at least five areas still actively smoking as crews were rolling up hoses to leave the Lachman Fire.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Building up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/building%20up. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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