1
as in to increase
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 to gain
to gradually increase in
the roller coaster built up momentum
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to accumulate
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 to expand
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
as in promotion
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of build up
Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026
For three months, the participants did treadmill workouts twice a week, gradually building up their fitness.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
Dennis Valera, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
In late January, the US began a massive military buildup around Iran while engaging in talks with Tehran via Omani mediation.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for build up
Verb
In order to prevent the mold from developing in the first place, leave the door slightly open after each use so moisture doesn’t build up inside the drum.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026
For three months, the participants did treadmill workouts twice a week, gradually building up their fitness.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
In December, a report revealed that crowded wires and gas buildup caused one of the fires on Charles Street in 2024.
—Dennis Valera, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
In late January, the US began a massive military buildup around Iran while engaging in talks with Tehran via Omani mediation.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for build up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for build up
Verb
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Trump’s increasing willingness to use overwhelming military force to pursue American interests abroad throws that calculus into question.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Mar. 2026
-
City records from November show police planned to install six more cameras and increase lighting.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The case in Rio de Janeiro’s famed beachside neighborhood, which allegedly took place in January, gained national traction last week when four suspects handed themselves over to authorities.—
Eléonore Hughes,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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That is when people gain an hour of sleep.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The sheriff had finally accumulated the political power to build the new jail.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
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The real-world mythology of the blood moon Unsurprisingly, given a blood moon's ominous hue, a vast codex of mythology and legend has accumulated around them from various cultures throughout history.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The bill expanded background checks for gun purchasers under the age of 21 and also provided federal money for state red flag laws.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Mar. 2026
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The flagship Semafor World Economy, anchored in Washington DC, is the largest annual gathering of top global CEOs in North America, and Semafor’s convening on emerging economies, The Next Three Billion, is held annually at UNGA and expanded this year to South Africa, East Africa, and UAE.—
Rachel Keidan,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The trial stems from a lawsuit filed in 2024 that alleged the companies have dominated the industry by suffocating competitors and controlling everything from concert promotion to ticketing.—
Larry Neumeister,
Fortune,
3 Mar. 2026
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In that summary judgment, Judge Arun Subramanian dismissed claims that Live Nation has a monopoly over the concert promotion industry, and that its conduct has led to higher ticket prices.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Over the years, Franklin has risen from special teams ace to every-down linebacker.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
This shift comes amid rising government instability in Africa.—
Adrian Elimian,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As additional observations from telescopes around the world were gathered throughout 2025, scientists were able to refine its orbit.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
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In a voice note sent by the second Tehran resident on Wednesday night, the sound of pro-regime demonstrators who had gathered for the first day of official mourning for Khamenei can be heard chanting in the background.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
China’s consumer-price growth accelerated to the quickest in over three years and factory deflation moderated again, after a rally in energy markets and as household spending boomed during a later-than-usual Lunar New Year holiday.—
Bloomberg News,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
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But record-breaking temperatures in recent years have led scientists to question whether the pace of temperature gains is accelerating.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Build up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/build%20up. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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