builds up

present tense third-person singular of build up
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2
3
as in accumulates
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

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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 builds up Long exposes how secrecy builds up when even doctors don’t have the language to identify one’s pain. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026 Eventually that carbon will begin to fuse into neon, then the neon will fuse into magnesium, and so on up the periodic table until iron builds up in the core. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026 This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026 Spring cleaning is the perfect time to tackle the bathroom — that one room where clutter builds up fast and organization falls apart even faster. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026 Over time, the negative marks from debt relief will carry less weight as your positive history builds up. — Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026 When ice builds up, the birds can no longer maintain flight and are forced to land. — Nick Lunemann, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026 By overlooking particle motion, these models may underestimate how quickly damage builds up inside real-world batteries. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026 Vastnaut One includes motors positioned at the knees that help absorb impact as the foot lands, reducing the stress that typically builds up over long descents. — New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for builds up
Verb
  • But using spreadsheets or paper and pen is time-consuming and increases the risks of errors.
    — Dana Miranda, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
  • An optional expansion module, sold separately, increases capacity to 10L for a dinner, game night or larger gathering.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Whether lawmakers accept those limits will help determine how much authority the federal government gains over advanced AI systems.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • That tension was the start point for Second Nature, a theme that frames denim as a living material that changes, evolves and gains character through time, touch and wear.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Rocks and plants The first method measures beryllium-10, an isotope that accumulates in the top few centimeters of rock that is exposed to the sky.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Research has demonstrated the importance of initiating appropriate treatment early in the course of disease, before neurological damage accumulates.
    — Bruce Bebo, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Alabama facility expands production Lockheed Martin broke ground on an expansion of Building P-20 in Troy that will add 47,000 square feet of manufacturing space.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
  • His comments come as Mastercard expands its involvement in digital assets, including through its acquisition of stablecoin infrastructure provider BVNK, which was completed in August.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Pay that rises with credentials, a clear schedule and predictable work can do more for retention than a signing bonus.
    — Alok Chanani, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Step up to the more powerful rear-drive model and output rises to 282 hp, with a larger 77-kWh battery.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The new book also gathers behind-the-scenes photos from the 1984 concert film Stop Making Sense, which returned to theaters for a limited engagement in 2023.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Atlas Workshops is one prong of Marrakech’s Atlas Programs banner, which gathers the professional initiatives of the Marrakech International Film Festival.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • But as the buildout accelerates, its physical costs are becoming harder to ignore.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The green light comes as the Pentagon accelerates efforts to field reliable, portable nuclear power on Earth and in orbit.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the population swells in the summer months.
    — Eva Flowe, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Seaglider is designed to handle ocean swells up to a meter and a half high.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Builds up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/builds%20up. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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