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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to gain
to gradually increase in
the roller coaster built up momentum
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in promotion
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of build up
Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Brown and black build up was found in the ice machine.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
may 15, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2026
Cleaning removable parts regularly prevents buildup and keeps them functioning well.
—Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano, The Spruce, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for build up
Verb
According to Gabrielle Correale, Ground Up’s director of marketing, the shoe firm is responsible for building up each brand’s footwear category.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
Brown and black build up was found in the ice machine.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
may 15, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Noun
Ignoring dryer vent buildup is one of the most dangerous.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2026
Cleaning removable parts regularly prevents buildup and keeps them functioning well.
—Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano, The Spruce, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for build up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for build up
Verb
-
Salah’s comments followed a limp 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa on Friday that increased criticism of Slot and questions about his future in the job.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
In Los Angeles, for example, the city spent more than 50 million dollars in 2021 on policing homelessness, yet unsheltered homelessness still increased.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
One approach gaining support is to slow the displacement of workers with new taxes on AI services and investments.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
-
The labor market gained 38,000 courier and messenger jobs in April, representing roughly a third of all positions added in the month.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Scientists have long believed that CSF helps flush out cellular waste that, if left to accumulate, is linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, according to Drew.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
-
Rainwater tends to accumulate at the road edges.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
There are numerous suites in the mix that expand upon the space, and anyone booking an executive category room enjoys access to the 25th-floor club lounge.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
-
Together, the movements reflected an apparent effort to insulate some of Iran's remaining military and aviation assets from the expanding conflict, even as officials publicly served as brokers for de-escalation.—
James LaPorta,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
On Facebook and Instagram, the video is shown as a collaboration post with Drink De Soi, a nonalcoholic beverage line cofounded by Perry, suggesting the video could be a promotion for the brand.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
After around three years of conflict with workers, Taylor had succeeded in dramatically increasing productivity and was rewarded with a promotion to foreman of the shop.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
As tensions rise between the United States and China over trade, technology, Taiwan and military influence, the relationship between the world’s two largest economies is increasingly shaping global politics and national security debates.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
15 May 2026
-
The national debt has surpassed the GDP, Social Security and Medicare face looming financial crises, inflation is rising, families are struggling — and yet Congress does nothing.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Save Girls’ Sports activists gathered outside Yorba Linda High School in protest, which OutKick documented firsthand through conversations with parents and attendees at the meet.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
Before the team’s departure, the staff gathered for a final walk-through.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The analytics group says that most Middle East cargoes loaded before the war have now been discharged, meaning the inventory drawdown will accelerate and local refining will slow.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
10 May 2026
-
The figure has really accelerated since 2017, though, driven in a large part by cost—to live a better quality of life at a lower cost and to have access to affordable healthcare and housing in later years.—
Alex Ledsom,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Build up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/build%20up. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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