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
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
The same concern emerges in places like Haiti and Ecuador, as foreign mercenaries and drones are being drafted in at the expense of building up the local armed forces and the national police.
—Alia Brahimi, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Unlike traditional top-down mentoring that focuses on building up younger employees, reciprocal models enable experienced employees to stay relevant in a changing world.
—Britton Bloch, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
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
The same concern emerges in places like Haiti and Ecuador, as foreign mercenaries and drones are being drafted in at the expense of building up the local armed forces and the national police.
—Alia Brahimi, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Unlike traditional top-down mentoring that focuses on building up younger employees, reciprocal models enable experienced employees to stay relevant in a changing world.
—Britton Bloch, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for building up
Verb
-
The organization’s Green Heart Project, which studies the impact of better air quality on heart disease through urban greening, has found that increasing the number of trees and shrubs in an area can create lower levels of a blood marker associated with inflammation.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Coffee prices have been increasing sharply since the start of this year.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
By accumulating additional passports, families can maintain their lives in America while securing a Plan B in their back pocket.—
Alex Ohnona,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
-
How Often to Clean Your Range Hood Cleaning your range hood once a month prevents grease from accumulating.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In 2025, Ohtani is likely to earn another MVP award, adding to his ever-expanding trophy cabinet.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Environmental advocates question the need for expanding fossil fuel resources a time when greenhouse gases from those fuels are worsening climate change.—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Even before her election, tensions were rising between the two neighbors.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
-
But as time went on, the family faced the challenges of everyday expenses and the rising cost of raising multiple children.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Chelsea’s wingers were their main attacking threats, and Sunderland’s block stopped them from gaining ground in the central areas.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Their new trend report breaks down destinations gaining the most buzz – and a few American getaways cracked the list of international gems.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Meta and others are engaged in an accelerating AI arms race that has some economists and investors fretting about a possible bubble and seeking reassurance that revenue growth can sustain the massive spending required.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
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The findings could make solar tower technology more efficient and commercially viable, accelerating the shift toward cleaner energy.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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She was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition and underwent emergency surgery, during which doctors removed part of her skull to relieve swelling.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Daedone persuaded the swelling ranks of OM enthusiasts, givers and receivers alike, to join an experiment in communal living, gradually parting them from their wealth and autonomy.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Even more, its comfortable band flexes with your body without rolling up or digging in.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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His right ankle was both dislocated and fractured, the brutal byproduct of Niners safety Ji’Ayir Brown trying to make a tackle on Tampa Bay’s third offensive possession and rolling up into the back of Warner’s legs.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Building up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/building%20up. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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