BUILDING UP Synonyms: 136 Similar and Opposite Words

building up

verb

Definition of building up next

present participle of build up

as in increasing

to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number static electricity built up on the cat's fur

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Relevance

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as in growing (in)

to gradually increase in the roller coaster built up momentum

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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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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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of building up 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 For over 20 years, the South African artist has been one of the genre’s true workhorses, building up an intimidating discography under names like Echologist and Beat Pharmacy and applying the style’s pearlescent, pulsating aesthetic to a range of frameworks. —

Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 6 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 Trash Cans Emptying the trash isn't enough to prevent funky odors from building up in your home. —

Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026 In the current administration, building up ICE and the deportation regime has taken priority. —

Frank Devito, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for building up

Verb

Throughout these years, Ma began to feel an increasing sense of remorse at his complicity in this system, which sparked deeper soul-searching around his identity as a Muslim, and what that meant within Chinese society.

— Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
Beef prices have been increasing since the beginning of the decade.

— Chantelle Lee, Time, 27 Feb. 2026