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 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 Heavy and formidable, the percussion builds up to the unsettling climax of the character’s suicidal depression. — Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 2 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for builds up

Verb

Though present, they are not enabled by default and require overriding hidden FeatureFlags, which increases user risk.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Thus the image is both cropped at the top and bottom and blown up in a way that increases the grain and softness.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 21 July 2026

Definition of increases

Verb

The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade – especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 July 2026
The soul and governance of football are ‌not assets ⁠to trade – especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially.

— Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of gains

Verb

Every piece of content must serve as a culturally relevant entry point that accumulates brand equity, especially when day-to-day audience engagement can be largely random.

— Stefano Marrone, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Tennis players with wrist pain are often enduring tendonitis, which is inflammation of the tendons, or tenosynovitis, when fluid accumulates in the sheath that protects that tendon.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of accumulates

Verb

As artificial intelligence expands across K-12 schools, Massachusetts announced a new $500,000 public-private investment in AI applied learning opportunities for hundreds of students, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced Tuesday.

— Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 22 July 2026
The Iranian military fired six missiles on Jordan today, according to the Jordan Armed Forces, as the regional conflict expands.

— Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of expands

Verb

By distilling commander’s intent through intuitive, natural language commands, Anura scales the Soldier-to-robot ratio, reduces cognitive burden, accelerates training timelines, and enables heads-up, hands-free operation.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
Automation accelerates execution, while autonomy reduces the need for manual coordination.

— Deepak Kumar, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of accelerates

Verb

The National Weather Service has repeatedly warned of dangerous rip currents and elevated surf in recent weeks as multiple southerly swells battered the coastlines of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Rota’s gorgeous score swells sweetly as this affair is sketched, but Mario — older and wiser, to quote the Rodgers and Hammerstein song — has his doubts about a man who seems to him like a cad.

— Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026