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
-
CycloKinetics says the fuel improves combustion performance and increases energy density, helping missiles travel farther while improving standoff capability.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
6 May 2026
-
Prioritize In-Flight Hydration Air travel greatly increases your risk of dehydration due to the extremely low humidity and lower cabin pressure.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Gray gains entry to three new markets as part of the deal that began in March and will have overlap in seven others.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
4 May 2026
-
In downtown Hartford, gains in asking rent, not including fees, have slowed since 2020, but are still on the rise.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
The trend has frustrated many dermatologists, who warn that the damage of frequent sunburns and tans accumulates over a lifetime, and those acquired early in life appear to play a disproportionate role in later risk of skin cancer.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
Throughout the day, adenosine gradually accumulates as a byproduct of brain activity, increasing feelings of sleepiness by inhibiting wake-promoting regions such as the basal forebrain.—
Samantha Agate,
Sacbee.com,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
Frontier expands routes, will cut less profitable ones Dempsey took over from longtime Frontier CEO Barry Biffle in December and has unwound some of his more aggressive expansion plans.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
-
If the College Football Playoff expands, the urgency of the regular season diminishes by comparison, and in a sport that had, inarguably, the greatest regular season in sports, that's a huge blow.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The move comes as electricity demand in the country’s mining region rises faster than supply, with miners building metal processing plants to satisfy local policymakers’ desire to keep some of the value chain in the country.—
Ruben Nyanguila,
semafor.com,
6 May 2026
-
Smoke rises from Israeli bombardment on the village of Mayfadoun, as seen from nearby Marjayoun, in southern Lebanon, May 6, 2026.—
May 6,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, the unceasing churn of clothing, footwear and accessories depletes soils, poisons the water, pollutes the air, drives deforestation, accelerates biodiversity loss and generates runaway planet-warming emissions that undermine brands’ lofty environmental ambitions.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
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As the Pentagon accelerates adoption, scrutiny from within the tech sector is likely to intensify.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
As the orchestra swells, a voice slowly surfaces.—
Ben Cardew,
Pitchfork,
2 May 2026
-
Backlash swells to Russia web crackdown Public backlash is growing in Russia in response to Moscow’s efforts to tighten control over the internet.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The lesson learned is that when a 14-year-old trusts his instincts and gathers the confidence and courage to tell adults the truth, people will listen.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
The state Department of Health committee gathers and analyzes data on mothers who lose their lives to pregnancy.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Builds up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/builds%20up. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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