Synonyms of build up

build up 1 of 2

verb

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

• increase
• rise
• accelerate
• swell
• expand
• climb
• roll up
• multiply
• wax
• intensify
• accumulate
• spread
• gain
• proliferate
• escalate
• mount
• balloon
• mushroom
• snowball
• boom
• enlarge
• appreciate
• jump
• surge
• bourgeon
• burgeon
• heighten
• rocket
• puff (up)
• skyrocket
• blow up
• peak
• bulk
• redouble
• distend
• inflate
• crest
• crescendo

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decrease
• diminish
• contract
• recede
• lessen
• wane
• dwindle

2

as in to gain

to gradually increase in

the roller coaster built up momentum

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gain
• grow (in)
• gather
• pick up
• accumulate
• double (in)
• expand
• accrue
• stimulate
• triple (in)
• enhance
• maximize
• extend
• step up
• enrich
• mount
• excite
• amass
• enlarge
• ramp (up)
• elevate
• boost
• jack (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decrease (in)
• lose
• fall (in)
• decline (in)
• diminish (in)
• lessen
• dip
• abate
• taper off
• taper
• dwindle

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

• accumulate
• gather
• pile (up)
• collect
• concentrate
• stack (up)
• conglomerate
• amass
• mass
• drift
• accrete
• lump
• ridge
• agglutinate
• clump
• bank

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disperse
• dissipate
• scatter

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

• increase
• expand
• accelerate
• boost
• augment
• raise
• add (to)
• multiply
• extend
• pump up
• enhance
• reinforce
• amplify
• maximize
• swell
• intensify
• compound
• escalate
• strengthen
• enlarge
• stoke
• aggrandize
• draw out
• up
• supplement
• blow up
• develop
• jump
• supersize
• bump (up)
• hype
• spike
• flesh (out)
• complement
• stretch
• lengthen
• heighten
• skyrocket
• inflate
• boom
• prolong
• ratchet (up)
• distend
• dilate
• elongate
• beef (up)
• follow up
• accumulate
• reenforce
• rachet (up)
• collect
• protract
• magnify
• amass
• parlay

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduce
• decrease
• subtract (from)
• diminish
• lower
• lessen
• abate
• downsize
• dwindle
• shorten
• curtail
• abridge
• cut back
• abbreviate
• minify
• contract
• de-escalate
• compress
• condense
• constrict
• retrench

buildup

2 of 2

noun

as in promotion

Synonyms & Similar Words

• promotion
• campaign
• publicity
• propaganda
• boost
• release
• announcement
• promo
• ad
• advertisement
• plug
• notification
• posting
• bulletin
• circular
• communiqué
• ballyhoo
• notice
• sign
• brochure
• flyer
• advertising
• fly sheet
• advert
• commercial
• bill
• billing
• billboard
• broadcast
• flier
• pitch
• message
• poster
• telecast
• handbill
• gazette
• broadside
• placard
• come-on
• handout
• communication
• show bill
• declaration
• promulgation
• blurb
• playbill
• pronouncement
• newscast
• dispatch
• spot
• proclamation
• report
• word
• cablecast
• plugola
• signification
• edict
• rescript
• annunciation
• pronunciamento

Examples of build up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Kishida has also built up the Japanese military and improved relations with South Korea, another U.S. ally in the region. —Arata Yamamoto, NBC News, 14 Aug. 2024

Still the president For a few weeks, the media coverage of the Biden White House built up the idea that there was a major scandal here, implicating the inner circle that encouraged the president to run for reelection and practiced deception amid his obvious decline. —Ross Douthat, The Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2024

Noun

Swollen ankles, also known as edema, are brought about by the buildup of fluid around the ankles, feet and legs. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 5 Aug. 2024

After all the buildup to this moment before the Games, the meeting itself was anticlimactic. —Erik Ofgang, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024