BUILDING UP Synonyms: 136 Similar and Opposite Words

building up

verb

present participle of build up

as in increasing

to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number static electricity built up on the cat's fur

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as in growing (in)

to gradually increase in the roller coaster built up momentum

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in accumulating

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in expanding

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

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 building up China is building up its military and AI capabilities despite limited access to advanced computer chips. — Josh Boak, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026 Boone said the final few steps for Judge’s return include building up his workload because he has been sidelined for over three months with a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side. — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026 Coleman Borthwick is among the 2026 draftees building up at the Peoria Sports Complex. — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026 Government reshuffle Ahead of the next winter period, Ukraine is strengthening the defense of its energy infrastructure and building up reserves to ensure sufficient supplies of heat and electricity. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026 The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies start right after birth with three to five minutes at a time, building up to more than an hour a day. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026 And because some of these inflation drivers affect multiple sectors, costs are building up throughout the supply chain. — Elizabeth Canales, The Conversation, 16 July 2026 The former second-round pick is suddenly one of the Lakers’ primary summer league players and hopes to use the experience as an important stepping stone, building up his game while also establishing a leadership voice. — Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026 The strength of the onscreen bond between Ryan and Naim is in part due to their actors building up a real friendship before production began. — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for building up

Verb

But the company’s stock has gone nowhere over the past two years, as Instacart struggled to find new paths to growth while facing increasing competition from Amazon and Walmart’s grocery-delivery offerings.

— Rob Wile, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026
For a while, the music hangs there, pieces echoing each other with increasing intensity.

— Vanessa Ague, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of increasing

Verb

Falcons sticking to Robinson on first down Thus far, the Falcons have had three first-down plays and have run running back Bijan Robinson on each, gaining a total of 22 yards.

— AJC.com, AJC.com, 25 Oct. 2026
The Panthers wound up out gaining Argyle 552 to 480 in total yards with running back Gabriel Bess picking up 160 yards on 19 carries.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of gaining

Verb

Beasley had previously borrowed money from Davis after accumulating millions of dollars in gambling losses.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
However, given the company's future commitments for computing power that have yet to hit its expenses, Anthropic will have to continue accumulating cash through fundraising or generating profits to fulfill its obligations.

— Leslie Picker, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of accumulating

Verb

The four countries agreed Monday to continue talks on expanding cooperation among them, particularly about regional peace and security, a statement said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Some brands are expanding their use of advance material and capacity commitments, while delaying final decisions on color, SKU quantities or market allocation.

— Jessica Binns, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of expanding

Verb

Fighting autocracy and inequality The Ford Foundation frames its new plan as its answer to rising autocracy, widening inequality, and fading public trust.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
This was in 2024 and 2025, when the AI craze was in full swing and Claude and ChatGPT adoption was rising.

— Brian Jenney, IEEE Spectrum, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of rising

Verb

Think of your home as a simulated work environment in which everyday chores — like unloading the dishwasher or gathering ingredients for a meal – are a chance to learn.

— John Gill, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Judging by the steady lunch crowd gathering inside the new La Fetta space on its second day open, maybe another location was the right decision after all.

— Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of gathering

Verb

With Russia's accelerating orbital forays, the clock appears to be ticking.

— Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2026
The Assisi gathering came as the Vatican is accelerating its humanitarian efforts for Ukraine following the entry into effect of a localized cease-fire in the devastated southern Ukrainian city of Oleshky.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of accelerating

Verb

The drug is designed to target a part of the inflammatory response that contributes to developing lymphedema, potentially helping reduce swelling and improve quality of life.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
The team said Tuesday morning that two-time defensive player of the year Kawhi Leonard will be re-evaluated in a week due to swelling in his left knee.

— Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of swelling

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buildings

building up

builds

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Style

“Building up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/building%20up. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of building up

verb

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