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
Aside from building up a slight static charge, the Artemis 2 commander said the flywheel was impressive.
—
Tariq Malik, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Helping the club’s cause was Schlittler, who was expectedly restricted to 68 pitches after a spring training back/lat injury prevented him from fully building up.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
This person suggested that the legislation could become more powerful if combined with local streamer content quotas, building up a more holistic framework that would support commissions from all players.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
In the earliest of these changes, a tangled version of a protein called tau starts building up in a tiny region deep in the brain involved in sleep, attention and alertness, called the locus coeruleus.
—Elizabeth Riley, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2026
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
In many ways, the city is building up throughout the metro.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 13 Mar. 2026
Tariq Malik, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Helping the club’s cause was Schlittler, who was expectedly restricted to 68 pitches after a spring training back/lat injury prevented him from fully building up.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
This person suggested that the legislation could become more powerful if combined with local streamer content quotas, building up a more holistic framework that would support commissions from all players.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
In the earliest of these changes, a tangled version of a protein called tau starts building up in a tiny region deep in the brain involved in sleep, attention and alertness, called the locus coeruleus.
—Elizabeth Riley, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2026
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
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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The investigation comes amid increasing federal scrutiny of the amount of money fans are paying to watch sports on television.—
Joe Reedy,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Even as Silicon Valley continues to generate extraordinary wealth and innovation, the system supporting that success is under increasing pressure.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Another approach is to set aside a consistent amount each year, with unused funds accumulating over time to cover larger expenses later in retirement, says Shagawat.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Mantello’s production actually frees the play from its own time, expanding its vista.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Murillo said the Mining Arc later became a financial lifeline for the Venezuelan regime as oil revenues collapsed, with gold extraction expanding rapidly under opaque arrangements involving state players and armed groups.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On his goal, Thomas swooped into the middle lane to dust McTavish and receive a slick feed from Broberg that sent him toward a vulnerable Dostál with speed for a rising shot.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
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Will the retirement age keep rising?—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Among the most common varieties are white, whole wheat, and sourdough – but rye is another type that has been steadily gaining attention.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
As the Senate Appropriations Committee Chair, gaining Collins’ support will be crucial for the White House, as Republicans hold only a narrow majority in the upper chamber, making passage of more partisan legislation difficult without all GOP members on board.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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By building the infrastructure, visibility and global connections that African women filmmakers need to succeed, WIF LA and WIFT Africa are accelerating both cultural diplomacy and an equitable, sustainable industry for generations to come.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2026
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The Gulf’s largest sovereign wealth funds more than quadrupled their private credit exposure between 2021 and 2025 — to $80 billion — with investment accelerating over the past two years, according to data from Global SWF.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This is largely due to how bodily fluids behave and realign in microgravity, which frequently causes swelling in the nasal passages.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
9 Apr. 2026
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Ice rollers and cryo tools are best for reducing puffiness, calming inflammation and easing morning swelling by temporarily constricting blood vessels.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Night is a popular time for Arabic people to visit cafes, hence why Turath will be open when Starbucks employees are rolling up their mats for the evening.—
Jenna Thompson
April 1,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 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
Cite this Entry
“Building up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/building%20up. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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