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
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
And OpenAI has been building up its own sales function.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2025
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
And OpenAI has been building up its own sales function.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for building up
Verb
-
Still, mainstream Democrats and the Democratic Party seemed inclined to hitch their fates to many of the issues which currently define a politics of domination, like threatening Venezuela or increasing ICE funding, even though for the first time, more voters want to abolish ICE than to keep it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
-
But the increasing state support comes amid a dramatic overall decline.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Prior to his firing earlier this week, Harbaugh coached the Baltimore Ravens for 18 seasons, accumulating a regular season record of 180-113 record with 13 postseason wins under his belt, including Super Bowl XLVII.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Forecast models have trended warmer, suggesting a transition from rain to a rain/snow mix rather than accumulating snow, the weather service said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Over the years, Harold’s Chicken grew far beyond its original location, expanding into a regional brand with restaurants across eight states.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Mitsubishi is looking to capitalize on rising power needs from data centers, manufacturing, as well as LNG exports, by expanding in the the world's largest gas market, citing domestic consumption, production, exports, and further demand growth.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Black will join rising redshirt senior Devin McDonough and rising sophomore Luke Brown on the roster.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
14 Jan. 2026
-
In an increasingly hostile regulatory environment, with a cooling economy and rising costs across the board, Colorado’s small businesses need relief, not another squeeze.—
Ryan Gonzalez,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
McCaffrey, despite gaining just 48 yards on 13 carries, came through with six catches for 66 yards and two touchdowns.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
In a TikTok video that’s quickly gaining attention, Novo — a tuxedo cat who’s a mix of ragdoll and Siberian — is seen aggressively clawing at his owner’s whiteboard, which neatly lists her goals for 2026.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Despite re-accelerating growth while expanding its AI narrative, NET has failed to convert fundamentals into durable upside.—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
-
But for large industrial firms—for OEMs of turbines, compressors, chillers, heavy machinery—the real value is in accelerating engineering itself.—
Paul Eremenko,
Fortune,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In some children, peanut allergy can trigger severe, life-threatening reactions, including difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat and a dangerous drop in blood pressure, according to Mayo Clinic.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
15 Jan. 2026
-
In July, the White House also shared that the president had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, which causes noticeable swelling in his legs.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
14 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
-
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 18 Jan. 2026.
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