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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of building up
Thanks to the depth of their pitching staff, the Dodgers can afford to be patient with building up Snell.
—
Jack Vita, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Herrick is credited with building up the Academy's library into one of the world's primary film research centers, as well as negotiating the award show's first television contract — and a major step toward financial independence — in 1953.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 13 Mar. 2026
They're also sealed to avoid mold from building up inside.
—Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 13 Mar. 2026
There’s also a whole bunch of stress building up over in Trauma 2 thanks to the ever-present tension between Langdon and Santos, which hits new heights when they’re forced to work on one of the victims of a slide collapse at a waterpark.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
In many ways, the city is building up throughout the metro.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 13 Mar. 2026
Essential to the effort will be building up the city’s stock of hotel rooms, diminished deeply in number during the pandemic.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 13 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
Jack Vita, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Herrick is credited with building up the Academy's library into one of the world's primary film research centers, as well as negotiating the award show's first television contract — and a major step toward financial independence — in 1953.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 13 Mar. 2026
They're also sealed to avoid mold from building up inside.
—Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 13 Mar. 2026
There’s also a whole bunch of stress building up over in Trauma 2 thanks to the ever-present tension between Langdon and Santos, which hits new heights when they’re forced to work on one of the victims of a slide collapse at a waterpark.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
In many ways, the city is building up throughout the metro.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 13 Mar. 2026
Essential to the effort will be building up the city’s stock of hotel rooms, diminished deeply in number during the pandemic.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 13 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for building up
Verb
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The Sacramento Police Department also said officers were monitoring developments and increasing patrols around places of worship.—
Daniel Hunt
March 12,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
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But airlines, which are footing much of the bill for the construction, pushed for Global Terminal construction to get moved up in line, hoping to ensure the centerpiece wouldn’t be threatened by increasing costs.—
Talia Soglin,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These polymetallic nodules, as they're known, take millions of years to form, slowly accumulating metals like nickel, cobalt and manganese.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
13 Mar. 2026
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Loans [are] not an option for everyone, and accumulating more debt prior to the last shutdown is … ridiculous.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kaplan has long focused on public safety, expanding amenities and making streets safer.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The interesting twist on Miami’s case is their test balloon is being floated as the powers-that-be debate expanding the NCAA Tournament field.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
12 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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The platform’s modular architecture allows for rapid iteration and integration into broader counter-drone defense networks, potentially accelerating deployment compared with traditional defense development cycles.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
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That steep pressure gradient works like the atmosphere stepping on the gas pedal, accelerating winds across the region.—
Vytas Reid,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Dreaming about winning that swelling $533 million Mega Millions prize?—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
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But most senior travelers have a higher risk of swelling and suffering from deep vein thrombosis while flying.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Small tour operators within each port are rolling up their sleeves to accommodate the increasing number of international arrivals (in 2024 visitors to Greenland hit an all-time high of 150,000, nearly triple the nation's population) by creating new land excursions and in-town experiences.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Building up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/building%20up. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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