BUILDS (UP) Synonyms: 136 Similar and Opposite Words

builds up

verb

present tense third-person singular of build up

as in increases

to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number static electricity built up on the cat's fur

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Relevance

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as in gains

to gradually increase in the roller coaster built up momentum

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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

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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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of builds up Long exposes how secrecy builds up when even doctors don’t have the language to identify one’s pain. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026 Eventually that carbon will begin to fuse into neon, then the neon will fuse into magnesium, and so on up the periodic table until iron builds up in the core. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 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, 15 July 2026 Spring cleaning is the perfect time to tackle the bathroom — that one room where clutter builds up fast and organization falls apart even faster. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026 Over time, the negative marks from debt relief will carry less weight as your positive history builds up. — Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026 When ice builds up, the birds can no longer maintain flight and are forced to land. — Nick Lunemann, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026 By overlooking particle motion, these models may underestimate how quickly damage builds up inside real-world batteries. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026 Vastnaut One includes motors positioned at the knees that help absorb impact as the foot lands, reducing the stress that typically builds up over long descents. — New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for builds up

Verb

If Skydance increases spending on content, that could push its competitors to also invest more, Laurent Yoon, senior analyst at the research and brokerage firm Bernstein, told me.

— Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Though this increases the X-Y dimensions, Apple worked closely with the system team to ensure the phones' internals could support this slightly larger package.

— Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of increases

Verb

After winding through an aspen grove, the trail gains close to 3,000 feet of elevation to reach the springs.

— The Aspen Times, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Starbucks' turnaround gains traction with consumers New consumer data offered encouraging evidence that the Starbucks turnaround is, indeed, taking hold.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of gains

Verb

The descent into crisis-club territory usually happens by degrees, a malaise that accumulates slowly as one poor performance follows another.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
This creates a point in the circular segment where tension accumulates, which in turn leads to the formation of a pointed edge.

— Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of accumulates

Verb

Even without their local ties, Gash are a shoe-in at Eaux Claires, the Wisconsin music festival founded by Justin Vernon that expands on the experimental curiosity and unhurried approach at the heart of Bon Iver’s latter career.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
The presentation comes as Netflix separately expands its AI ambitions, including its acquisition of Ben Affleck’s filmmaking technology company InterPositive.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of expands

Verb

The agreement comes as electricity demand rises across the United States, driven partly by expanding data centers, manufacturing and electrification.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
Dyerville Loop Road begins along the Eel River in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, then rises into the foothills of Humboldt County, California before dropping back down to the river near Fort Seward.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of rises

Verb

An agent that gathers records or checks for required information may operate with limited intervention.

— Heather Bassett, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
When a storm, usually fed by unusually warm water, suddenly gathers a lot of strength, sustaining winds that increase in speed by at least 35 mph (56 kph) in 24 hours, it is called rapid intensification.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of gathers

Verb

CoreMotion technology accelerates the transition from autonomy development and experimentation to operationally relevant capability, as per the release.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Every clinical breakthrough has cost implications, accelerates the pace of change and widens the gap between what is scientifically possible and what is practical for clinicians delivering care.

— Brad Kreick, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of accelerates

Verb

These wetlands, connected to the river, act as natural reservoirs that absorb and hold water, especially when the river swells with meltwater or heavy rain.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Each month, roughly a dozen are consistently in the audience, though the number swells depending on the agenda.

— Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2026