built up 1 of 2

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

built-up

2 of 2

adjective

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
Verb
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
Adjective
The tussle over rare earths precedes the current administration; China for years has built up near-total control of the minerals as part of its wider industrial policy. Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025 Still betting on this legacy, which has been built up so well in the past. John Hopewell, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025 With a small, experienced team, Times Real Estate has built up a portfolio that boasts properties sold in some of the county’s most exclusive neighborhoods. Liz Ohanesian, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025 The lipids used to make fats and the cell membrane are built up two carbons at a time. ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025 It was just really built up energy. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025 Manager Craig Counsell expects Soroka to be built up to multi-inning usage before he’s activated. Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025 After surging to the top of the National League East division, the Phillies built up a considerable lead over the Mets. Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025 For decades, Laney College and Merritt College have built up distinct brands on opposite sides of town, offering their own slices of higher education but often vying for the same students — and even fielding competing basketball teams. Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for built-up
Verb
  • In recent years the amount of screen time at school has increased as students and teachers transition to digital learning.
    Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
  • What To Know OpenMinds said that Russia had increased its contract military recruitment in 2025, with a 40 percent year-on-year increase in social media ads, especially on the social network VK, during the first half of 2025.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Chiefs out-gained the Jaguars by more than 150 yards and were far better on a per-play basis, too.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Brinker International shares gained more than 2% after JPMorgan raised its rating on the Chili’s parent thanks to an attractive valuation.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Toss the grapes in the olive oil and seasonings that have accumulated at the bottom of the pan.
    Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Some food-safety inspections were temporarily halted, trash accumulated in national parks, federal landmarks and museums closed, and some airports shuttered checkpoints due to a shortage of Transportation Security Administration officers to screen passengers.
    Jordan Green, Nashville Tennessean, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Founded in 1980, the company’s work with the federal government expanded significantly after 2018, completing more than $100 million in contracts since 2002, according to GovTribe.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The league then expanded its postseason bonus pool to $500,000 total in 2022.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead of tracking individual users, MMM looks at aggregated data—spend, impressions, sales—to show how channels contribute over time.
    Bernard May, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Holland and Marek Epstein’s screenplay breathlessly regurgitates an aggregated fact sheet of Kafka’s life.
    Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This set of seven makeup brushes comes in a leather case with a shiny rose gold finish.
    Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
  • When the sun rose on the 17th, it was revealed that the colonists—possibly out of a last-minute change of plans, possibly out of moonlit confusion—had built a rough defensive fort on the other hill, Breed’s Hill.
    Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • When his birthday arrived, the entire family gathered for dinner, including relatives from both his mom’s and dad’s sides.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
  • From the evidence gathered on-and-off-scene, investigators determine a probable cause and draft a report.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Artificial intelligence has accelerated demand, creating an urgent need for more efficient infrastructure.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
  • At the same time, by driving down costs through scale, China has accelerated clean-tech uptake in countries from Pakistan to Brazil to Indonesia.
    Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Oct. 2025

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 12 Oct. 2025.

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!