as in to accumulate
to gradually form into a layer, pile, or mass
snow piling up in the driveway at a rapid pace
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in accumulation
a mass or quantity that has piled up or that has been gathered over a period of time
a pileup of e-mail messages that needed to be dealt with
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pile (up)
Joe Hernandez, NPR, 2 Apr. 2025
This mountain range, and the entire region, is filled with faults generated by that epic geological pileup.
—Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2025
According to spokesperson Paxton, two people died in the pileup involving more than 20 vehicles, including several tractor-trailers and 13 passenger vehicles, per USA Today.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
In Kansas, a deadly highway pileup involving at least 50 vehicles left eight people dead, while three others lost their lives in crashes caused by blinding dust near Amarillo, Texas.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pile (up)
Noun
Last month, dust storms in Texas and Kansas reduced visibility on roads, resulting in multi-car pileups that killed at least 11 people.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 2 Apr. 2025
This mountain range, and the entire region, is filled with faults generated by that epic geological pileup.
—Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2025
According to spokesperson Paxton, two people died in the pileup involving more than 20 vehicles, including several tractor-trailers and 13 passenger vehicles, per USA Today.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
In Kansas, a deadly highway pileup involving at least 50 vehicles left eight people dead, while three others lost their lives in crashes caused by blinding dust near Amarillo, Texas.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pile (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pile (up)
Verb
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Evidence is also accumulating that the microplastic bits now found everywhere in our environment – from Antarctica to the Amazon – are invading our bodies and have been implicated in everything from heart disease to infertility.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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Over time, lint and debris accumulate in the hose, blocking airflow and, worse, becoming a fire hazard, so cleaning the vent out regularly is essential.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 May 2025
Noun
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Having cash set aside can help prevent the accumulation of high-cost debt or the need to prematurely raid retirement accounts in the face of income disruptions, rising expenses or other unexpected costs, McBride said.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
13 May 2025
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And in people with AD, aerobic exercise has been shown to increase brain function by reducing the accumulation of tau proteins and amyloid plaques (a sign of dementia).—
Carolyn L. Todd,
SELF,
12 May 2025
Noun
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The collection ranges from humble beer-bottle shapes — the makeshift vase of students, and Van Assche — to grander botanical and rotund vessels.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
17 May 2025
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Rather, the distillery uses the collection to explore how nuanced cask finishes can deepen complexity without overpowering the bourbon’s core character. Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2025
Verb
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Gattuso encouraged the family to humanize Pelkey, and gathered about 50 letters of support, including family, friends, elementary school teachers and military buddies, Wales said.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
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Townspeople of Genazzano gathered in the square outside the main church housing the Madre del Buon Consiglio (Mother of Good Counsel) sanctuary as Leo arrived and greeted them.—
Nicole Winfield,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
Noun
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Warren Buffett's life in pictures 1 of 43 Buffett discusses Berkshire’s cash pile Buffett addressed Berkshire sitting on hoards of cash.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN Money,
3 May 2025
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There was a two-and-a-half-hour wait in the sports hall for a nervous Campbell to be declared winner but observers of the count, held on a series of long tables by council staff and volunteers, had seen one pile of forms growing higher than the others.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Noun
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Instead, voters themselves are jumbles of competing and sometimes contradictory interests.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
14 Feb. 2025
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Baker also leads the orchestra, which sounds grand — although the sound in the arts center’s Pugh Theater often left musicians, lead singers and chorus all at the same level, with actors speaking over all of it at the same time to create a sonic jumble.—
Matthew J. Palm,
Orlando Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As soon as the mixture starts frothing, it’s served in small cups, similar to those used for espresso.—
Samantha Husted,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2025
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Fill cabbage leaves with meat and rice mixture, one at a time, starting with the largest leaves.—
Barbara Ellis,
Denver Post,
11 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pile (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pile%20%28up%29. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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