built-up 1 of 2

Definition of built-upnext

built up

2 of 2

verb

past tense of build up
1
2
3
as in accumulated
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

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 built-up
Adjective
The Caribbean-facing region of Quintana Roo has some of Mexico's busiest and most built-up beachfronts, but visitors looking for a more serene escape will love still-secret destinations like Mahahual. Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025 While the Classic looks a little more built-up, and has what may be a larger, physical rotating bezel, both watches have what’s known in some circles as a squircle design. Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025 The area was densely built-up before the war and the enormous scale of damage means there are now huge mountains of rubble and debris everywhere. Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025 The home’s outer structure has a flat roof frame, composed of built-up. Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 2 Aug. 2024 That group could factor into the team’s Game 2 plan, as well, following the Dodgers’ most built-up starting pitcher in breakout rookie Bobby Miller. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2023
Verb
Geologists concluded that the boulders formed over four million years as calcite built up around an organic core, which also caused the rocks' striking cracks to form over time. Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026 It's most commonly found built up along curbs, drainage areas, bridges, and overpasses. Christa Swanson, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026 No baseball at all seems like a good way to torch any excitement MLB has built up. Mia Sato, The Verge, 1 Mar. 2026 The Patriots cannot live on the good will built up over a surprise Super Bowl run and bank on internal development to carry them through next season. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 27 Feb. 2026 Holman built up a commanding 15-4 lead in the second period when Chur had to default out because of a knee injury. Kevin J. Farmer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026 The flame-throwing pitching prospect didn’t display the greatest command, but his fastball, capable of hitting triple digits when fully built up, sat around 95 mph. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026 The show’s title work, Heap of Broken Images, built up from a staggering number of polygons, is something of a bridge between the abstract and figurative collages. Benjamin Lima special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026 Carter is in the middle of his eighth season in the league and has built up a reputation as a tough defender around the perimeter, while still shooting accurately from distance on the other end. Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for built-up
Adjective
  • The alleged success of Housing First does not come from aggregated homelessness data, but from case studies of different homelessness programs.
    Christopher Calton, Oc Register, 4 Dec. 2025
  • Haunting and wonderful images coalesce then dissipate, or recur without a sense of aggregated force.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The Career Connections program allowing students to learn career skills and earn credentials, Skipper highlighted, started off with around 1,000 students four years ago and has now increased to over 4,000 students.
    Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Before that, the rate had increased 56% over two years.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • The narrative has gained influence in technology circles for its depiction of incremental rather than sudden transformation.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The group charted on the Billboard Artist 100, Billboard 200 and Hot 100, and accumulated streaming milestones across Spotify, iTunes and YouTube.
    Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The group accumulated streaming milestones across Spotify, iTunes and YouTube, and became the fastest K-pop act to reach one billion streams on Spotify.
    Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Sunain has expanded its robot data capture to homes in Turkey, Singapore, Canada and Malaysia.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The company later expanded globally, providing voting machines and other technology to help carry out elections in 25 countries, from Argentina to Zambia.
    JOSHUA GOODMAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The market share of zero-emission vehicles among all light-duty vehicles sold rose from 12% in 2021 to 19% in 2022.
    Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Saudi Aramco’s shares rose the most in more than two years as investors bet that the rise in oil prices could offset declines in exports, Bloomberg reported.
    Amena Bakr, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Buzelis didn’t blink at the top of the second quarter as James gathered the ball in one hand to scan the offense from inside the arc.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The Board of Elections gathered Friday for its canvass, a final review and certification of the county’s election results.
    Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • But an unexpectedly powerful solar cycle that peaked in 2024 accelerated that timeline by increasing atmospheric drag on the spacecraft, according to the agency.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Each mission after that, however, has been repurposed and accelerated.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 10 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Built-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/built-up. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster