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
Analysts have observed that Moscow has been building up reserves and its operations are expected to gain tempo as the spring warmth dries the terrain.
—
ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
That desire has been building up within Lebanon among very different population groups, including the other political parties.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
As Connecticut has been rolling up budget surpluses since Lamont took office in 2019, some lawmakers say the state needs to release money that has been building up through the years.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
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
ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
That desire has been building up within Lebanon among very different population groups, including the other political parties.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
As Connecticut has been rolling up budget surpluses since Lamont took office in 2019, some lawmakers say the state needs to release money that has been building up through the years.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for building up
Verb
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One of the biggest concerns for consumers is that an increasing number of data centers could hit them financially.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Among those saying the deal doesn’t go far enough are Ticketmaster competitors who have had to offer increasing protections for venues that chose them over Live Nation.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At this point in a typical year, as the seasons officially turn from winter to spring, snowpack would still be accumulating across the Mountain West.—
Mira Rojanasakul,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Powell understands that the accumulation of these moments is itself a form of knowledge, and that Emily was accumulating it in real time while writing one of the strangest novels in the English language.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In practice, that means the Commission is wary of big mergers, unless they are paired with social taxes — protecting jobs, expanding network coverage in poorer areas and ensuring the Black majority benefits.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
20 Mar. 2026
-
OpenAI has spent the last few years expanding its tools into standalone products.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Experts say travelers planning summer trips may be able to limit the impact of rising airfares by booking earlier rather than waiting for last-minute deals.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Footage in the aftermath of the strike shows flames and smoke rising from the top of the building, though no injuries were reported.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Washington Examiner learned that while ICE has publicly disclosed plans to buy roughly 10 warehouses and convert them into immigrant holding sites, another component of that plan focuses on gaining control of the land and buildings where existing detention sites are located.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The Caps held a 9-7 shot advantage and the hosts were gaining momentum late in the period.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This backlog underscores Patel’s assertion about the accelerating threat.—
Adam Ciralsky,
Vanity Fair,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The idea is to use those models to identify patterns across genes and ecosystems that would be difficult for humans to detect—potentially accelerating discoveries in areas like drug development.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Decongestants minimize swelling in your respiratory tract and may clear stuffy noses.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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Scaling up production When cast into thin films, these components self-organize into a dense structure that resists swelling with water vapor.—
J. Carson Meredith,
The Conversation,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As Connecticut has been rolling up budget surpluses since Lamont took office in 2019, some lawmakers say the state needs to release money that has been building up through the years.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
18 Mar. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Building up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/building%20up. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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