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

Banks are happy to oblige, issuing loans and credit with high interest rates to low-income individuals with questionable credit ratings, which increases the likelihood of loan defaults and bankruptcies.

— Eric Khant, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026
Goldman said that its best-case scenario places Brent in the $60-per-barrel range in 2027, but only if oil production in the Persian Gulf increases by 1 million barrels a day above its pre-war levels.

— Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of increases

Verb

Smaller engine gains Navy approval The Series 2000 completed component testing and accumulated thousands of hours of field operations before receiving approval.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
As a starting point, organizations should map where software gains meaningful execution rights.

— Ken Ammon, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of gains

Verb

Alcaraz is coming back from tenosynovitis, an injury in which fluid accumulates in the sheath that protects a key tendon in the wrist.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Debt forgiveness programs commonly involve stopping payments to creditors while money accumulates for settlement offers.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of accumulates

Verb

Its value becomes visible when delivery accelerates and engineering capacity expands without weakening architecture, quality standards or ownership.

— Boris Kontsevoi, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
All of those companies have been massive winners for investors this year, with HPE and AMD more than doubling in value and Intel almost tripling, as the artificial infrastructure buildout expands to companies beyond Nvidia.

— Isabel O'Brien, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of expands

Verb

Customization Is Becoming Key in the Buying Process As the personal touch becomes paramount for customers, the need for custom pieces rises with it.

— Footwear News, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
Out back, a custom stainless steel exhaust pipe rises vertically right next to the sissy bar, echoing classic vintage choppers.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of rises

Verb

For families This is a house that suits a family takeover—a multi-generational group, including young children, with the main event the evening meal, when everyone gathers around the long table, in front of a roaring fire.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
First, the software gathers raw diagnostic readings from the reactor, including temperature, density, and magnetic data.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of gathers

Verb

Mountain peaks and slopes could see gusts reaching hurricane force, as the islands’ terrain accelerates the winds.

— Tyler Ory, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
Her new employer is preparing to spend billions building computing capacity as demand for AI infrastructure accelerates.

— Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of accelerates

Verb

Although no coastal watches or warnings were in effect, swells generated by Marie will continue to affect portions of southwest Mexico, the Baja California peninsula and Southern California for the next few days, the hurricane center said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Sep. 2026
But swells from the south could reach the Central Coast and Bay Area.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026