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 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 The residue left behind by liquid fabric softeners builds up over time, creating a water-repellent barrier on fibers. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 10 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for builds up

Verb

Once the company and its shareholders become accustomed to such a financial boost, an environment where individual guest spending sharply increases even when domestic park attendance is soft or steady, there’s likely no turning back.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
This concern increases tenfold for flight attendants, as a negative interaction isn’t necessarily fleeting; they may be stuck in the air with rude or disorderly passengers for several hours.

— Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of increases

Verb

Modest steps toward common ground could emerge, however, setting a course toward deeper diplomatic ties as the technology gains wider adoption.

— Max Zahn, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
An attacker gains initial access, establishes persistence, escalates privileges, moves laterally and eventually achieves an objective such as data theft or disruption.

— Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of gains

Verb

Marketing will lean harder on sleep framing as DAZZEON-style data accumulates.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
Aging occurs not merely because damage accumulates but because these protective systems themselves become less effective over time.

— Venki Ramakrishnan, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of accumulates

Verb

This strengthens the relationship and expands the partnership between Variety and SCAD, following the hosting of the 2026 class of 10 Animators to Watch at SCAD AnimationFest at its Atlanta campus earlier this month.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
It is funded through the Job Development Investment Grant program, which directs a portion of a JDIG award to the account when a company locates or expands in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 county.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of expands

Verb

The cameras mounted by Flock and two major competitors, Rekor and Axon, are only small pieces of the technological net that gathers data on movements, consumer habits, employment and other things, most of it collected privately.

— Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026
The same logic has already appeared in Ellen’s workshop for women in film, where authority gathers under the name of confession.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of gathers

Verb

Economists expect Beijing to lean harder on stimulus to stabilize corporate profitability, as consolidation accelerates in sectors already facing sluggish demand, fierce competition and cutthroat price wars.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
Openness expands access to talent, accelerates development and reduces dependency on a single vendor.

— John Healy, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of accelerates

Verb

On Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service in Los Angeles was forecasting elevated surf and strong rip currents at beaches this weekend and into next week as a result of multiple southerly swells.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2026
The space suddenly swells with agents, assistants, clients and others shuffling through for lunch.

— Oren Peleg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026