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, 28 Apr. 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, 27 Apr. 2026
Over time, grime builds up in the grooves and becomes harder to remove.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 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
Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 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, 27 Apr. 2026
Over time, grime builds up in the grooves and becomes harder to remove.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 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
-
This greatly increases the surface area available for electrochemical reactions and enables faster charging and discharging while maintaining high power density in an extremely small footprint.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Across the spectrum, increases to bonus payouts ranged from 6% to 43%, with a median of 13%, and an average increase of 12%.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The episode starts to mirror that classic sitcom’s multi-threaded structure as Marcus’ final-season arc gains traction.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Apr. 2026
-
If a team gains a CFA in an equal or higher percentile bracket, those CFAs offset.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Acidic soil is typically found in areas prone to rain, in spots where organic material accumulates, in woodlands, or near pine trees.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
27 Apr. 2026
-
On tax bills owed to the county, interest accumulates at 12% annually.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Here, the traditional expectations of a five-star stay are softened into something more personal—where time expands, space breathes, and every detail is designed to feel intuitive rather than imposed.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
-
On top of bringing hundreds of new jobs to the Marion County community, Equestrian Manor expands the options for events — with spaces available for weddings, meetings and other gatherings.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Rare earth demand rises The ubiquity of rare earth elements means demand keeps rising.—
Anton L. Delgado,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
From the fiery lake of damnation, Lucifer rises as Satan to seduce humanity’s first parents, Adam and Eve, in the flawless Garden of Eden, triggering the Fall of Man and the loss of Paradise itself.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Indeed, emerging evidence suggests that early detection and aggressive treatment of psychiatric symptoms may improve long-term outcomes by delaying the onset of clinical neurodegeneration and mitigating the cumulative biological stress that accelerates brain aging.—
Eric J. Nestler,
STAT,
28 Apr. 2026
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Collagen loss accelerates, cell turnover slows, and deep wrinkles become more prominent.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And as the brightening world starts to resume familiar form, the glorious chorus swells with the songs of blue tits, goldfinches, chaffinches.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026
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What really surprised the rather unflappable ISS and Glass Lewis was a tax reimbursement of $334 million that swells the total payout to $886 million.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The law that created the program prohibits the state from using information the program gathers to determine citizenship.—
Sacramento Bee contributor,
Sacbee.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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As part of their investigations, the Army Corps of Engineers gathers soil samples and checks for hazardous materials.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Builds up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/builds%20up. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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