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
In the current administration, building up ICE and the deportation regime has taken priority.
—
Frank Devito, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026
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
Frank Devito, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for building up
Verb
-
His administration is facing increasing scrutiny after immigration officers killed two American citizens in Minneapolis this month.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Powerful onshore winds are forecast to coincide with some of the highest tides of the month, increasing the risk of moderate to locally significant coastal flooding, particularly during high tide cycles late Saturday into Sunday.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Farther south, accumulating snow is also expected across parts of South Carolina and into eastern Georgia, where temperatures will remain cold enough for snow.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The camera observes it all, cutting between these maids, cooks, and footmen with a kind of accumulating effect.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Camp Lucy, a Texas Wine Country resort, is also expanding with the debut of Folklore, a new spa experience blending wellness, color therapy and social connection.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Levine Cava also pointed to Miami-Dade's expanding economy, fueled in part by major international events such as Formula One races at Hard Rock Stadium and upcoming FIFA World Cup matches.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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By year’s end, some 9,917 fires scorched more than four million acres, accelerating flash floods and mudflow.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The Democrats largely agreed about issues such as combating climate change, accelerating the transition to clean energy and protecting California’s water resources.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Some analysts pointed to how government bonds have lost some of their traditional appeal as a safe haven amid swelling debt burdens, as seen in recent global bond selloff movements.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
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The naval buildup adds some 5,000 American troops to the region, swelling an already robust American military footprint spread across multiple bases across the Middle East, such as Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
-
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 1 Feb. 2026.
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