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buildup

buildup

64 3.1
A slow increase in something over time
  • noun
  • /ˈbɪlˌdʌp/
translation icon : acumulación
  • He noticed a significant buildup of dust on the shelves after weeks of neglect.
  • military buildup
  • arms buildup
  • nuclear buildup

So currently I still have a fluid buildup in in the back of my right ear.

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Examples

  • The underlying causes of the buildup of debt have been multiple.

    Academic text (2008)
  • This government, as promised, has maintained the closest surveillance of the Soviet military buildup on the island of Cuba.

  • All this, this whole buildup, was leading to this next part.

  • Biggest military buildup in history.

  • After all this buildup, the kids are finally getting married.

  • Analysts are concerned that the buildup of Russian forces...

  • Budget policy, as just noted, remains the underlying cause of the huge buildup of foreign debt.

    Academic text (1990)
  • So it is a temporary fix perhaps to reducing carbon dioxide buildup in the atmosphere.

  • The buildup of fluid in my spine is a degenerative condition.

  • After 9/11, there was an accelerated buildup of U.S. military and intelligence capabilities.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

growth
vsbuildup
1.6

An increase in size, number, or importance of something

focuses on steady adding over time rather than development or complexity change
increase
vsbuildup
713 1.0

A rise that happens over time and makes something larger

refers to a steady gradual rise rather than any single growth event
accumulation
vsbuildup
30 3.4

A group of things gathered in one place over time

focuses on steady rise over time rather than sudden change
step-up
vsbuildup
20 3.6

An increase in amount, level, or strength

expresses a gradual increase over time rather than a sudden rise
accretion
vsbuildup
  • Specialized
6 7.4

Gradual growth by adding small bits or layers of matter

covers steady general increase rather than specifically adding layers
thickening
vsbuildup
4 4.6

The process or result of something becoming more dense

describes a general gradual increase in amount rather than thicker specific change

Antonyms

451 3.2

A decrease in size, amount, degree, or price

439 3.9

A gradual loss in amount, quality, or value

5 7.9

A decrease in size, amount, or importance

How Much

avalanche
36 5.1
mass
259 2.9
heap
53 1.1
buildup
64 3.1
trace
492 3.3

Surface Forms

buildup singular
buildups plural

Morphology

buildup = build + up (transparent) = build + up

The noun is directly formed from the verb phrase 'build up' meaning to increase or accumulate, so learners who know 'build' + 'up' can infer the meaning.

Etymology

The word buildup is made from build and up, so it means something 'built up' little by little, like layers of dust or plaque on a surface. That's why buildup means a slow increase or an accumulation.