BUILD (UP) Synonyms: 195 Similar and Opposite Words

build up 1 of 2

verb

Definition of build up

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

as in to gain

to gradually increase in the roller coaster built up momentum

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

buildup

2 of 2

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

Instead, the surest way to secure our biotech lead is to build up our own capabilities. — Patrick McHenry, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026 For people with diabetes, carbohydrates and sugars can’t be properly balanced by insulin, causing sugars to build up in the blood instead of entering the cells to provide energy. — Rachael Zimlich, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2026

Noun

The buildup made the lake about 4 feet deep and caused harmful algae to bloom, according to the organization. — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2026 Researchers took mice used to model Alzheimer’s and other tauopathies, diseases marked by a buildup of the protein tau, and treated them with an antibody that blocks CXCR3, a molecule immune cells use to home in on sites of infection and damage. — Amanda Erickson, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for build up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for build up

Verb

Contributions would increase depending on family size, with a family of four expected to pay $500,000, officials said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Europe in particular appears vulnerable to increasing borrowing costs, with inflation in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain all exceeding analysts’ expectations.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of increase

Verb

The aim is to help a variety of institutions gain insights into the origins of their collections, providing a basis for further actions.

— Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Related Explore See latest videos, charts and news The tracking week included an extended holiday and saw few new releases, and perhaps with demand for reading also running high, long-selling novels gained points across the board.

— Billboard Japan, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of gain

Verb

Instead, overtones accumulate and churn and a loose banner of guitar is draped across the song.

— Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
Because microorganisms in water turn regular mercury into methylmercury, a toxic chemical form that binds tightly to fish tissue, the heavy metal accumulates to higher levels in aquatic animals.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of accumulate

Verb

The same architecture can now support another round of measurements from orbit as the constellation expands.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
The episode ultimately reunites Constance with two of her children, Tate and Adelaide (Jamie Brewer), as the season continues to expand its connections to the show’s earlier installments.

— Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of expand

Noun

Seven in 10 employees say promotions go to those who best deserve them, nearly twice the proportion at a typical European workplace.

— Ted Kitterman, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Co-owners Zain Shafi and Milne said the promotion to a star is because the whole team tries to be better than the day before, while staying consistent.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of promotion

Verb

Inflation in India has been rising for 10 straight months, while economic growth has remained strong despite external challenges.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Regulatory concerns began to rise, with growing uncertainty that Netflix would be able to close its deal in short order.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

Luann gathers everyone and literally gives Vicki her flowers and thanks her for putting Housewives on the map.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
More than 1,000 people were gathered at the site, and more than 50 shots were fired in at least two locations about a block apart in Vienna, Dooly County Sheriff Craig Peavy told WMAZ-TV.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of gather

Browse Nearby Words

builds up

build up

buildup

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Style

“Build up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/build%20up. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of build up

verb

noun

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