1
as in increased
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 gained
to gradually increase in
the roller coaster built up momentum
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in expanded
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 aggregated
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
New land is also being constructed at three features that were built up in earlier rounds of reclamation – Amboyna Cay, Grierson Reef and West Reef – the AMTI report said.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 29 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
The trio has built up relationships with top contacts across the film, design, photography, fashion, production and music spaces who will be tapped into when curating bespoke and tailored teams for each project; collaboration is at the core of the creative studio ethos.
—Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 22 Aug. 2025
Rogers said just 10 years ago the land was pastures, and investments from the city of Springdale built up the infrastructure to allow for a project like this to be completed.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Aug. 2025
That is, an excess amount of the element bromine had built up in his body.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2025
Accordingly, making a success of a soccer team may sound like a cinch, especially for someone who built up the world’s biggest media company.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Manager Craig Counsell expects Soroka to be built up to multi-inning usage before he’s activated.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
New land is also being constructed at three features that were built up in earlier rounds of reclamation – Amboyna Cay, Grierson Reef and West Reef – the AMTI report said.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 29 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
The trio has built up relationships with top contacts across the film, design, photography, fashion, production and music spaces who will be tapped into when curating bespoke and tailored teams for each project; collaboration is at the core of the creative studio ethos.
—Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 22 Aug. 2025
Rogers said just 10 years ago the land was pastures, and investments from the city of Springdale built up the infrastructure to allow for a project like this to be completed.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Aug. 2025
That is, an excess amount of the element bromine had built up in his body.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2025
Accordingly, making a success of a soccer team may sound like a cinch, especially for someone who built up the world’s biggest media company.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for built-up
Verb
-
For example, Doak kicked on so impressively at Middlesbrough in 2024-25 that his value increased to the point that Bournemouth paid £25m for him.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The rate of lifetime depression among women has increased by over 40% in the last decade, yet periods like postpartum and perimenopause remain under-addressed in mainstream mental health care.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The post quickly gained traction, receiving over 2,700 upvotes.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Startups gained an edge by staying lean, automating manual work and cutting anything that doesn’t drive growth or profit.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ezukanma only accumulated 22 yards on five catches during his time in Miami and could be an interesting practice squad candidate for a team that has already endured injuries at the position.—
Hunter Mulholland,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Aug. 2025
-
The organization had accumulated two households of items earlier this year.—
Tom Daykin,
jsonline.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
These medical-grade improvements expanded options for individuals who had limited choices.—
Malana VanTyler,
AZCentral.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
In a season when other businesses hesitated, Stacie expanded.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Currently, airlines claim AI is used with aggregated data, not personalized information, to streamline pricing analysis.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
21 Aug. 2025
-
One critical clause restricted the use of our proprietary data in model training, even in aggregated or anonymized form.—
Ilakiya Ulaganathan,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
That increase was fueled largely by national revenue — television, licensing and sponsorship proceeds shared equally among the 32 franchises — which rose to an average of $433 million per team from $403 million the previous season, according to league executives.—
Michael Ozanian,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
-
In the second quarter, sales rose 14 percent, compared with growth of 12 percent in the first quarter.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Crowds gathered outside the house after the parents' arrests.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
-
TrustedHousesitters gathered data from over 100,000 pets registered to the platform to find out the most popular names among cats and dogs in 2025.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Additionally, 12 percent of firms reported project delays or cancellations due to tariffs, while 36 percent have raised prices, and 40 percent have accelerated purchases in anticipation of new tariffs.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Hayes was identified as the person driving a SUV in the 5800 block of South Princeton Avenue, and accelerated striking an officer.—
Deanese Williams-Harris,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Built-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/built-up. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share