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
Both teams are 1-0 and building up playoff aspirations, and the latest Parsons-Daniels matchup is must-see stuff.
—
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 11 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
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 11 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
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By inserting an extra biochemical cycle into a model plant, the researchers boosted growth, seed yield, and fat production without increasing water demand.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
-
An increasing number of boys are lonely, isolated and confused, wrestling with the aftermath of the #MeToo movement and the expectations of rigid masculinity, which has been widely characterized as toxic.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Both played in Week 1, but head into Week 2 still on the Niners’ injury report with Jennings accumulating a new shoulder injury in the process.—
Kambui Bomani,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Arcángela and Serafina remain in the women’s penitentiary, continuing to operate illicit businesses and accumulating wealth, but without hope of freedom.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Now the Icon Class family is expanding, with three equally hefty sister ships.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
-
An artisan pizzeria with South Beach roots is expanding across the state.—
Jason Dill,
Miami Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Advertisement Macron alone cannot be blamed for the rising far-right, which is on the march across the West.—
Cole Stangler,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
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Older adults must factor in rising costs for Medicare Part B premiums, which would be announced later in 2025.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Moore went on to take part in television and theater roles in the years to follow, before gaining wider recognition and establishing herself as a leading lady in Hollywood.—
Nicholas Rice,
People.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Knightscope was founded in 2013 and has been shipping its robots to companies since 2015, gaining widespread attention and use in the last decade.—
PJ Green
September 14,
Kansas City Star,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Global interest in the technology is accelerating as Italy has approved a demo line between Venice and Padua.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Sep. 2025
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Access to these solutions will enable Komatsu to optimize safety and energy efficiency, while increasing overall productivity, accelerating product development, and enabling large-scale decarbonization.—
Richard Bishop,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The audio-streaming platform has amassed a sizable free cash flow due to its strong revenue growth, a figure that has been boosted by the company's swelling active user base in recent financial quarters.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
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For this test, a doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum to feel for swelling, bleeding, and any prostate abnormalities.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Or rolling up his sleeves to make rice bowls with their daughter.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
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In the latest offering from her Netflix series, the Duchess of Sussex, 44, signs up not as the expert, but as the learner — the sous chef, the assistant, the one rolling up her sleeves and saying, teach me your ways.—
Erin Hill,
People.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Building up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/building%20up. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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