Dictionary entry details
• BUILD UP (verb)
Meaning:
Enlarge, develop, or increase by degrees or in stages
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Context example:
build up your savings
Hypernyms (to "build up" is one way to...):
increase (make bigger or more)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Form or accumulate steadily
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
work up; build; build up; progress
Context examples:
Resistance to the manager's plan built up quickly / Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border
Hypernyms (to "build up" is one way to...):
develop (grow, progress, unfold, or evolve through a process of evolution, natural growth, differentiation, or a conducive environment)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Meaning:
Prepare oneself for a military confrontation
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Synonyms:
arm; gird; build up; fortify
Context examples:
The U.S. is girding for a conflict in the Middle East / troops are building up on the Iraqi border
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "build up"):
re-arm; rearm (arm anew)
forearm (arm in advance of a confrontation)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
Meaning:
Bolster or strengthen
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
ramp up; work up; build up; build
Context examples:
We worked up courage / build up confidence / ramp up security in the airports
Hypernyms (to "build up" is one way to...):
increase (make bigger or more)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Change the use of and make available or usable
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
build up; develop
Context examples:
develop land / The country developed its natural resources / The remote areas of the country were gradually built up
Hypernyms (to "build up" is one way to...):
ameliorate; amend; better; improve; meliorate (to make better)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "build up"):
redevelop (change the plans for the use of (land))
settle (establish or develop as a residence)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
