build up 1 of 2

verb

Definition of build upnext
1
as in to increase
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number static electricity built up on the cat's fur

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2
as in to gain
to gradually increase in the roller coaster built up momentum

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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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

buildup

2 of 2

noun

as in promotion

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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 build up
Verb
Some towels take longer to dry because of the material they’re made with, which can cause unwanted smells to build up faster than others. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2026 Even the Chinese giants like BYD, SAIC’s MG and Chery are struggling to build up dealer networks quickly. — Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
The most common culprits for grout stains are spills, cleaning residue, and mold/mildew buildup. — Abid Haque, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026 Enameled steel offers more design options but is prone to mineral buildup and scorching. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for build up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for build up
  1. increase
  2. gain
  3. accumulate
  4. expand
  5. promotion
  6. rise
  7. gather
  8. accelerate
Verb
  • Traffic through the strait is beginning to increase, but remains sharply depressed.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Boston increased its lead to 6-4 in the sixth on an RBI triple from Abreu when right fielder Jung Hoo Lee misplayed a line drive.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of increase
Verb
  • If reusable rockets mature into an operational capability and are paired with the ability to manufacture satellites at scale, China could gain a greater ability to expand or replenish its orbital infrastructure during a crisis.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The workplace emergency savings accounts that have gained traction are separate from 401(k)s and other retirement savings plans, Copeland said.
    — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of gain
Verb
  • Pozen leans on the step-up in basis at death, which wipes out the capital gains accumulated during an owner's lifetime, and his column is careful to say this applies to money held outside retirement accounts.
    — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • According to Baseball Reference and FanGraphs, that trio has accumulated more than half of Houston’s offensive WAR.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of accumulate
Verb
  • Earlier this month, Spotify announced plans to expand its own AI labeling, focusing on telling users when an artist is artificial rather than specific songs.
    — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Longtime American soccer reporter Pablo Maurer’s story outlines a potential 20-team competition that expands the postseason field by two while also adding incentives for teams to finish higher in the table.
    — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of expand
Noun
  • Promotion problems in the department Kennon also alleges department decisions about assignments and promotions ultimately left her unable to compete for a captain position.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026
  • With steady promotions since, Rojas has always been among the youngest players in his league.
    — Tim Britton, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of promotion
Verb
  • The footage mixes high-speed chases and explosive action with comedic beats, framing a story built around chaos, mismatched heroism and rising stakes as the mission unfolds.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
  • With five minutes of task-specific data and 10 gradient steps, its average success rate rose to 83%.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of rise
Verb
  • The government said Khan’s supporters had begun gathering outside the private hospital in violation of the court order, which required them to stay away from the medical facility to avoid inconveniencing other patients.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • That same day, hundreds of women gathered outside the courthouse where Clancy is standing trial, wearing bright pink, in an attempt to raise awareness around maternal mental health.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of gather
Verb
  • Broadcom sits roughly 50% below its average Wall Street price target while the AI infrastructure build-out continues to accelerate.
    — Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The trend of declining foreign enrollment could accelerate after recent changes to decades-old policies limiting the ability of visa holders to change majors, switch schools and remain in the US after graduation.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of accelerate

Browse Nearby Words

builds up
build up
buildup
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Cite this Entry

“Build up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/build%20up. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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