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
Anne Kadet, Curbed, 29 May 2026
That disorder causes iron to build up in vital organs, leading to liver disease, lowered immunity and other complications, officials said.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 28 May 2026
Andy Browne, semafor.com, 2 June 2026
Lemon Juice Method Like other acidic ingredients, lemon juice can help tackle mineral buildup and refresh the toilet bowl with a clean, citrus scent.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for build up
Verb
While the petition is just the latest in an ongoing crusade to tame the streets, tension in the neighborhood is building up, and for good reason.
—Anne Kadet, Curbed, 29 May 2026
That disorder causes iron to build up in vital organs, leading to liver disease, lowered immunity and other complications, officials said.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 28 May 2026
Noun
If anything, smaller nations see China’s military buildup — the largest by any country in peacetime — as the threat to regional security, not Japan’s.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 2 June 2026
Lemon Juice Method Like other acidic ingredients, lemon juice can help tackle mineral buildup and refresh the toilet bowl with a clean, citrus scent.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for build up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for build up
Verb
-
Becerra’s support increased by 9 percentage points in a little more than two weeks when compared with the May 9-10 Emerson results.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
But even on a per-square-foot basis, the price has increased 33%.—
Allison Schrager,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Hard-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella emerged as the unlikely vote leader on Sunday, gaining some 44% of votes and beating the pollsters’ favorite, leftist Senator Ivan Cepeda, who received just under 41% of votes.—
Alfie Pannell,
Miami Herald,
31 May 2026
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The organization said scientific knowledge did not confirm that hormone therapy could fully eliminate the advantages gained from male puberty.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Understanding how those filaments emerge is key to understanding how gas accumulates and ultimately collapses into new stars.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
1 June 2026
-
Rainwater tends to accumulate at the road edges.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The deal with Curry, who is a household name in China, is expected to further boost Li-Ning’s popularity in the country and help expand the brand’s market share in the US.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
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By greatly expanding the dimensions of his images, with their muted palettes, tight cropping, found symmetries, and laconic wit, had the maestro of the photographic epigram betrayed his subtractive aesthetic?—
James Quandt,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
With only 12 months left on his contract, and the fact that Middlesbrough missed out on promotion to the top flight, he is expected to leave the Riverside Stadium and should represent good value for money for buying clubs.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
His intervention seems to violate rules that govern the Navy's promotion system.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Supply disruptions have also hit hard in Europe and Africa, where countries are responding to rising fuel costs and a considerable threat to food security.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
-
Airlines have faced rising fuel costs as the conflict in Iran has disrupted global oil supplies and increased energy prices.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The intelligence-gathering site became another means by which Israel could collect information on Iranian military movements and facilities, as well as potentially providing early warning of missile launches.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
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Team projects and daily systems ask for tweaks as information-gathering Mercury engages your 11th House of Friends, while intense Pluto focuses your 6th House of Work.—
PubSubHub User,
Baltimore Sun,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
That’s another bill that doesn’t include her name because a Senate version of the legislation, which was designed to accelerate biomedical research, is what eventually passed, Owens said.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
The consumer demand, in both African domestic markets and globally, is documented and accelerating.—
Lisa Curtis,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Build up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/build%20up. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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