Build up — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb

Meaning & Definition of Build up

Build up (verb)

  1. to develop gradually by increments
  2. to promote the health, strength, esteem, or reputation of
  3. to accumulate or develop appreciably

Build up (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number

    "static electricity built up on the cat's fur"

    similar: accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, burgeon, climb, enlarge, escalate, expand, gain, increase, mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, rise, roll up, snowball, spread, swell, wax
    related: jump, rocket, skyrocket, surge, heighten, intensify, redouble, blow up, bulk, distend, inflate, puff (up), crescendo, crest, peak
    opposite: contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane

  2. to gradually increase in

    "the roller coaster built up momentum"

    similar: gain, gather, grow (in), pick up
    related: double (in), triple (in), accrue, accumulate, amass, excite, stimulate, enhance, enlarge, enrich, expand, extend, maximize, boost, elevate, jack (up), mount, ramp (up), step up
    opposite: decrease (in), lose
    near: abate, decline (in), diminish (in), dip, dwindle, fall (in), lessen, taper, taper off

  3. to gradually form into a layer, pile, or mass

    "evidence that the toxic chemical builds up in the bloodstream to unhealthy levels"

    similar: accrete, accumulate, amass, collect, concentrate, conglomerate, gather, mass, pile (up), stack (up)
    related: agglutinate, clump, lump, bank, drift, ridge
    near: disperse, dissipate, scatter

  4. 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"

    similar: accelerate, add (to), aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, compound, enlarge, escalate, expand, extend, hype, increase, multiply, pump up, raise, stoke, supersize, swell, up
    related: boom, jump, skyrocket, spike, bump (up), ratchet (up), blow up, dilate, distend, inflate, draw out, elongate, flesh (out), lengthen, prolong, protract, stretch, develop, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify, complement, supplement, beef (up), reinforce, strengthen, maximize, accumulate, amass, collect, follow up, parlay
    opposite: abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, minify, reduce, subtract (from)
    near: abbreviate, abridge, curtail, shorten, compress, condense, constrict, contract, cut back, retrench

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Build up

The most common words with a similar meaning to Build up:

accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, burgeon, climb, enlarge, escalate, expand, gain, increase, mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, rise, roll up, snowball, spread, swell, wax, gather, grow (in), pick up, accrete, amass, collect, concentrate, conglomerate, mass, pile (up), stack (up), add (to), aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, compound, extend

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Build up

Words with the opposite meaning of Build up:

contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane, decrease (in), lose, abate, de-escalate, downsize, lower, minify, reduce, subtract (from)

Related Words for Build up

jump, rocket, skyrocket, surge, heighten, intensify, redouble, blow up, bulk, distend, inflate, puff (up), crescendo, crest, peak, double (in), triple (in), accrue, excite, stimulate, enhance, enrich, maximize, elevate, jack (up), ramp (up), step up, agglutinate, clump, lump

Near Antonyms of Build up

decline (in), diminish (in), dip, fall (in), taper, taper off, disperse, dissipate, scatter, abbreviate, abridge, curtail, shorten, compress, condense, constrict, cut back, retrench

Word Forms of Build up

Inflections: built up, building up, builds up

Derived words: builder-upper (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Build up

First known use: 1555t

Frequently Asked Questions about Build up

What does "Build up" mean?

"Build up" means to develop gradually by increments. As a verb, it is defined as: to develop gradually by increments. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Build up"?

Other words for "Build up" include accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, burgeon, climb and enlarge. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Build up" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Build up"?

There are 99 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Build up". Common alternatives include accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, burgeon, climb, enlarge, escalate and expand.

What is the opposite of "Build up"?

Antonyms of "Build up" include contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane and decrease (in). Near antonyms include decline (in), diminish (in), dip and fall (in).

How do you use "Build up" in a sentence?

Examples of "Build up" in a sentence: "static electricity built up on the cat's fur"; "the roller coaster built up momentum"; "evidence that the toxic chemical builds up in the bloodstream to unhealthy levels".

Is "Build up" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Build up" is a verb.

What is the origin of the word "Build up"?

First known use: 1555t.

What is another word for "Build up" meaning "to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number"?

When "Build up" (verb) means to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number, synonyms include accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom and burgeon. Opposites in this sense include contract, decrease, diminish and dwindle.