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
Sramek has claimed that building up the infrastructure of the city will provide thousands of construction jobs for the next 40 years.
—
Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2026
Sweeping daily—especially in the kitchen—prevents dust, crumbs, and dirt from building up and keeps floors consistently fresh.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 8 Jan. 2026
Below a certain depth, however, pressure prevents gases from building up, and keeps the body from rising.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
The growing trend of player-for-player marking can also mean that teams can bypass an opponent’s midfield with direct passes when building up, allowing an attacking midfielder, two wingers, and a lone striker to stay high and push the opposition back towards their own goal.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
The singer has spent the past 20 years building up one of the most successful music careers of all time, and she only recently got engaged at the age of 35 to fiancé Travis Kelce.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
Smoke was building up inside as Balmer deployed the second incendiary device.
—CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
It’s made with durable resin and has built-in ventilation to keep moisture from building up, so your backyard essentials don’t get moldy.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
During the speech, however, Kemp periodically deviated from building up Astra to hurling insults at several of his competitors in the launch industry.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025
Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2026
Sweeping daily—especially in the kitchen—prevents dust, crumbs, and dirt from building up and keeps floors consistently fresh.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 8 Jan. 2026
Below a certain depth, however, pressure prevents gases from building up, and keeps the body from rising.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
The growing trend of player-for-player marking can also mean that teams can bypass an opponent’s midfield with direct passes when building up, allowing an attacking midfielder, two wingers, and a lone striker to stay high and push the opposition back towards their own goal.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
The singer has spent the past 20 years building up one of the most successful music careers of all time, and she only recently got engaged at the age of 35 to fiancé Travis Kelce.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
Smoke was building up inside as Balmer deployed the second incendiary device.
—CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
It’s made with durable resin and has built-in ventilation to keep moisture from building up, so your backyard essentials don’t get moldy.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
During the speech, however, Kemp periodically deviated from building up Astra to hurling insults at several of his competitors in the launch industry.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for building up
Verb
-
In her recommendation to reduce costs, Maeda suggested decreasing bimonthly water meter service charges for single-family utility customers by 25% and increasing the commodity per unit charge by 12% while maintaining the yearly rate of increase.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
By connecting publications, grants, patents and policy data, researchers can gain a more holistic view of research – saving time and increasing the likelihood of meaningful discovery.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
At that point, rain will become freezing rain, making roadways slick and hazardous with accumulating ice.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Snow should begin after dark on Saturday and pick up quickly, accumulating to near double-digit inches by Sunday morning.—
Brandon Miller,
CNN Money,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While Aspen’s footprint is fixed, Deer Valley is still expanding, creating new ski-in/ski-out neighborhoods and appealing to buyers who value convenience and proximity to a major international airport.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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During these years, England was involved in different wars, the British Empire was expanding globally, and the Industrial Revolution was in full swing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Cancellations are likely to continue rising as the snow and ice storm spreads across the nation.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Last year marked a strong one for stock returns, despite a macroeconomic backdrop largely characterized by rising volatility amid escalating global tensions and a Federal Reserve rate cutting cycle.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There are also a number of fascinating candidates who might need a couple of tries, along with returning fixtures who have been gaining momentum and could at some point hit the 75% threshold needed for election.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Since then, more pandas have arrived or were born locally, gaining a huge following.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Investors usually reward accelerating top-line growth, but Peloton has frequently presented the opposite, with only a few positive quarters.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Its configurability enables battery energy storage to be located closer to demand, reducing congestion and accelerating deployment.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When treating frostbite at this stage, a person might feel stinging, burning and swelling in the affected area.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Sarah learned that Ellie’s cough was called croup and was due to swelling around her vocal cords, which can happen with viral infections.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
On Sunday, as many Hollywood A-listers began rolling up to the Golden Globes in Beverly Hills, thousands of Iranians in Los Angeles rallied just a few miles away outside of the Federal Building in a demonstration supporting the Iranian people.—
Saba Hamedy,
NBC news,
14 Jan. 2026
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McLaughlin was already known for rolling up his sleeves and breaking a sweat before the sun wakes.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Building up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/building%20up. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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