English dictionary



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English verb: build up

1. build up (change) enlarge, develop, or increase by degrees or in stages


SamplesBuild up your savings.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)increase

2. build up (change) form or accumulate steadily


SamplesResistance to the manager's plan built up quickly.
Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border.


Synonymsbuild, progress, work up


Pattern of useSomething ----s


Broader (hypernym)develop


Verb groupbuild, build, build up, ramp up, work up

3. build up (competition) prepare oneself for a military confrontation


SamplesThe U.S. is girding for a conflict in the Middle East.
Troops are building up on the Iraqi border.


Synonymsarm, fortify, gird


Pattern of useSomebody ----s


Narrower (hyponym)forearm, re-arm, rearm


Antonymsdisarm, demilitarise, demilitarize

4. build up (change) bolster or strengthen


SamplesWe worked up courage.
Build up confidence.
Ramp up security in the airports.


Synonymsbuild, ramp up, work up


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)increase


Verb groupbuild, build up, progress, work up

5. build up (change) change the use of and make available or usable


SamplesDevelop land.
The country developed its natural resources.
The remote areas of the country were gradually built up.


Synonymsdevelop


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)ameliorate, amend, better, improve, meliorate


Narrower (hyponym)redevelop, settle


Verb groupdevelop, develop, develop, develop, educate, make grow, modernise, modernize, prepare, train









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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