1
as in increased
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
2
as in gained
to gradually increase in
the roller coaster built up momentum
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in accumulated
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
4
as in expanded
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
as in aggregated
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 built-up
Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
While the Classic looks a little more built-up, and has what may be a larger, physical rotating bezel, both watches have what’s known in some circles as a squircle design.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
The area was densely built-up before the war and the enormous scale of damage means there are now huge mountains of rubble and debris everywhere.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
The home’s outer structure has a flat roof frame, composed of built-up.
—Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 2 Aug. 2024
That group could factor into the team’s Game 2 plan, as well, following the Dodgers’ most built-up starting pitcher in breakout rookie Bobby Miller.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2023
Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
The tussle over rare earths precedes the current administration; China for years has built up near-total control of the minerals as part of its wider industrial policy.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Still betting on this legacy, which has been built up so well in the past.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025
With a small, experienced team, Times Real Estate has built up a portfolio that boasts properties sold in some of the county’s most exclusive neighborhoods.
—Liz Ohanesian, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
The lipids used to make fats and the cell membrane are built up two carbons at a time.
—ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
It was just really built up energy.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Manager Craig Counsell expects Soroka to be built up to multi-inning usage before he’s activated.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
After surging to the top of the National League East division, the Phillies built up a considerable lead over the Mets.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
The Caribbean-facing region of Quintana Roo has some of Mexico's busiest and most built-up beachfronts, but visitors looking for a more serene escape will love still-secret destinations like Mahahual.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
While the Classic looks a little more built-up, and has what may be a larger, physical rotating bezel, both watches have what’s known in some circles as a squircle design.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
The area was densely built-up before the war and the enormous scale of damage means there are now huge mountains of rubble and debris everywhere.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
The home’s outer structure has a flat roof frame, composed of built-up.
—Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 2 Aug. 2024
That group could factor into the team’s Game 2 plan, as well, following the Dodgers’ most built-up starting pitcher in breakout rookie Bobby Miller.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2023
Adjective
The amounts of prejudice that are built up in those Kingdom Halls, unbelievable.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
The tussle over rare earths precedes the current administration; China for years has built up near-total control of the minerals as part of its wider industrial policy.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
Still betting on this legacy, which has been built up so well in the past.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025
With a small, experienced team, Times Real Estate has built up a portfolio that boasts properties sold in some of the county’s most exclusive neighborhoods.
—Liz Ohanesian, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
The lipids used to make fats and the cell membrane are built up two carbons at a time.
—ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
It was just really built up energy.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Manager Craig Counsell expects Soroka to be built up to multi-inning usage before he’s activated.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
After surging to the top of the National League East division, the Phillies built up a considerable lead over the Mets.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for built-up
Verb
-
In a survey from brokerage firm Evercore ISI conducted last year, ChatGPT respondents saying ChatGPT was their top search provider increased to 5% from 1% four months prior.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Warming trends delay first freeze in US Fall days that are unusually warm have increased in 238 cities, or 98% of the 243 cities that were examined by Climate Central.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The story has gained ascendancy as a vehicle for understanding the world while the ability to interpret narrative has atrophied.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The rendition gained momentum after the pair posted a performance clip of the song at a recent soundcheck.—
Russ Penuell,
Billboard,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Slowly, gaining confidence at shooting and interviewing, Pencic accumulated remarkable material from all kinds of places, shooting for four months, always, somehow, after dark.—
Will Tizard,
Variety,
27 Oct. 2025
-
At a higher level, the data accumulated by eBird has been used by researchers to better understand bird distribution, gain deeper understanding of migration patterns, model population trends and predict bird populations over time.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While oral arguments are typically constrained to an hour—30 minutes for each side—the high court on Thursday ordered that the hearings will be expanded to 80 minutes.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Acquisitions and investments have expanded BHP’s copper operations by nearly 30% in three years and set it up to become one of the world’s largest producers of potash.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Instead of tracking individual users, MMM looks at aggregated data—spend, impressions, sales—to show how channels contribute over time.—
Bernard May,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Holland and Marek Epstein’s screenplay breathlessly regurgitates an aggregated fact sheet of Kafka’s life.—
Sam Bodrojan,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In August, car insurance rose by the smallest annual rate in three years – but that still amounted to a hefty near-5% jump, well above the overall inflation rate.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
-
New Jerseyans’ electricity rates rose roughly 20% at the start of June as a result of price-setting capacity auctions—the market where power producers are paid to guarantee future supply.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Other big stories ➤ More than 350 residents from Marana and surrounding southern Arizona communities gathered to criticize Management and Training Corporation's refusal to communicate on whether a shuttered state prison will return as an ICE detention center.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
26 Oct. 2025
-
In response to the deployment, several hundred protesters gathered outside the base.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Europe has been hungry for a homegrown alternative to Starlink, which dominates the sector — the service has been vital to Ukrainian troops in the war against Russia, and fears of a possible shutdown accelerated Europe’s space ambitions.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
26 Oct. 2025
-
His extraordinary rise has only accelerated over the past 12 months.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Built-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/built-up. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share