1
as in increases
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 gains
to gradually increase in
the roller coaster built up momentum
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in accumulates
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 expands
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 builds up
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.
—
Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
Heavy and formidable, the percussion builds up to the unsettling climax of the character’s suicidal depression.
—Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 2 Mar. 2026
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
The snowpack that builds up over the winter in the Sierra Nevada slowly melts to feed rivers and reservoirs through the spring and summer.
—Monica Garske, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
When bleeding or swelling inside one of these compartments builds up, pressure rises and begins to squeeze the muscles, nerves and blood vessels.
—Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
The sneckdown is the snow that builds up on parts of the street that cars don’t use, acting as a natural curb extension.
—Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2026
The water then builds up, finds its way under the shingles and any cracks, back into the attic and then through the ceiling.
—Mamie Bah, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
Heavy and formidable, the percussion builds up to the unsettling climax of the character’s suicidal depression.
—Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 2 Mar. 2026
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
The snowpack that builds up over the winter in the Sierra Nevada slowly melts to feed rivers and reservoirs through the spring and summer.
—Monica Garske, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
When bleeding or swelling inside one of these compartments builds up, pressure rises and begins to squeeze the muscles, nerves and blood vessels.
—Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
The sneckdown is the snow that builds up on parts of the street that cars don’t use, acting as a natural curb extension.
—Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2026
The water then builds up, finds its way under the shingles and any cracks, back into the attic and then through the ceiling.
—Mamie Bah, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for builds up
Verb
-
Construction increases fire risk.—
Matthew Kayser,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The ability to see farther and hit faster dramatically increases the information processing burden on military organizations.—
Jon R. Lindsay,
The Conversation,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When within one second of a rival at a detection point, a driver gains access to additional electrical deployment—up to 350 kW—giving them a temporary performance advantage.—
Brad Spurgeon,
Robb Report,
9 Mar. 2026
-
And the subject of an investigation gains the power to control the flow of information.—
Vaughn Stewart,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Why the Calypso Deep Traps So Much Waste The trench’s geology explains why litter accumulates in such extraordinary concentrations.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The potential for hazards like gusty winds and tornadoes is not as high, but flash flooding may occur as rain accumulates.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This year, the event expands to Denton for the first time, with an immersive exhibition of artworks projected across the outdoor spaces of Quakertown Park.—
Travis Pinson,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Stay true to your roots and keep that handle intact even as your remit expands to podcasting and socializing.—
Charlie Hobbs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Ghana’s gold regulators introduced a new sliding‑scale royalty rate that rises in line with bullion prices, despite opposition from China, the US, and mining executives.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For professionals who regularly build client decks, sales presentations, or classroom materials, PowerPresent reduces formatting time and accelerates slide production without requiring advanced design skills.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
10 Mar. 2026
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Trying to keep it in situ is your first port of call, making sure to wear a broad spectrum, high factor SPF every day–UV exposure accelerates collagen loss and can also exacerbate uneven texture more generally.—
Hannah Coates,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Unlike the sleek mansions lining much of California’s shoreline, this unassuming house has always felt like something out of a fisherman’s tale—shrouded in salt spray as swells crash against the rocks below.—
Jennifer Fernandez,
Architectural Digest,
6 Mar. 2026
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Cocoa Beach is Florida’s ultimate surf-and-sand playground with six miles of golden sand, Atlantic swells for every skill level, and rocket launches visible on the horizon.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
On the last night, our small group gathers together for one final time.—
Tom Vanderbilt,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
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In terms of the conference program there will be Innovation Talks focused on tech and AI in the TV drama biz, as well as the regular Lille Dialogues, the international summit organized every year within Series Mania Forum that gathers European policy makers and key industry leaders.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Builds up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/builds%20up. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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