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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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

This increasing self-reliance has an extra benefit in the midst of a grueling war.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Despite this, national reports indicate continued use of performance- and appearance-enhancing drugs, and increasing interest in them.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of increasing

Verb

As financial markets have become more accessible, consumers have begun trading sophisticated financial instruments, purchasing fractional shares and gaining exposure to alternative assets in minutes.

— Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Jones flashed his decisiveness and speed on the ensuing play, gaining 14 yards on a quarterback keeper.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of gaining

Verb

The combination of accumulating snow and potentially slick roads could affect travel in the mountains from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning.

— Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Scientists are investigating whether these accumulating pressures on the developing gut microbiome may contribute to rising neurodevelopmental differences, like autism with high support needs.

— Holly Baines, STAT, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of accumulating

Verb

That law included provisions dramatically expanding the scope of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Altogether, Google is expanding automatic tracking support to cover more than 100 different exercises and sports, up from 10 previously.

— Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of expanding

Verb

Noah Seelam | Afp | Getty Images Fund outflows and a rising energy bill are expected to keep putting pressure on India's rupee, even as the central bank works to slow depreciation.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
John Fogerty, rising singer-songwriter Emma Ogier, and others are slated to open on select dates.

— Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of rising

Verb

Russia's Federal Security Service said the man, who works for the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper, was suspected of gathering information about Russia's defense capability on behalf of a Japanese intelligence agency.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
While Boeing callously deflects blame for their negligence, a family of one victim finds strength in gathering collective mourning.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of gathering

Verb

Leading equipment manufacturers, including Caterpillar, Komatsu, Liebherr, and SANY, are accelerating efforts to deploy zero-emission haul fleets across the industry.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
That 12-month number would signal that the rate of price growth is accelerating and moving further from the Federal Reserve's goal of 2%.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of accelerating

Verb

Other possible signs include swelling of part or all of the breast, breast or nipple pain and nipple discharge other than breast milk.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026
Since the late nineteenth century, raw white-lead was known to pose a substantial health risk to those exposed to it, prompting symptoms such as swelling of the brain, epileptic convulsions, paralysis, severe colic, and death.

— Wendy S. Walters, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of swelling

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buildings

building up

builds

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

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Synonyms of building up

verb

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