stepped up; stepping up; steps up
1
: to increase, augment, or advance especially by one or more steps
The team really stepped up their performance.
The enemy stepped up their attacks.
He also plans to step up efforts to headhunt for the best and brightest …—
Jerry Garrett
Jerry GarrettFactory production was stepped up in an effort to meet helicopter shortfalls.—Shelby L. Stanton
Shelby L. Stanton2
: to increase (a voltage) by means of a transformer
… the use of transformers to step up the voltage to very high levels …—Thomas P. Hughes
Thomas P. Hughes1
a
: to make the effort required to provide information, make a claim, volunteer, etc.
She stepped up to claim responsibility.
see also step up to the plate
b
: to succeed in meeting a challenge (as by increased effort or improved performance)
They just didn't have the guys to step up and make the big plays with the game on the line.—Peter King
Peter King2
: to undergo an increase
Business is stepping up.
3
: to receive a promotion
She stepped up to the position of general manager.
variants
or step up
plural step-ups or step ups
: an increase or advance (as in size or amount) and especially one that is gradual or incremental
Lower inflation will minimize cost-of-living step-ups for Social Security recipients …—Arthur M. Louis
Arthur M. LouisThis model will give them the quality step-up they want at a decent price …—Len Feldman
Len Feldman"… We expect a gradual step up in sales each quarter as 2021 progresses, followed by an extended period of growth starting in 2022."—Nick Stanage
Nick StanageExamples of step up in a Sentence
Verb
candidates stepping up their campaigns as election day draws near
stepped up the pace to catch up with the others
Noun
there's been a step-up in productivity since regular breaks were offered
Recent Examples on the Web
Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025
The school board and the mayor called on Gov. Ned Lamont and state Attorney General William Tong to step up to help, warning that other Connecticut communities eventually will be in for the same treatment by Trump’s education department.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
James Horncastle, New York Times, 8 June 2025
As with the step-up Sky Glass TVs, the three new Air models can all be bought via monthly instalments, rather than requiring you to find all the money to buy them up front.
—John Archer, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for step up
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Verb
Elias, meanwhile, is stepping up in the clutch for the Vikings during her only season as the starting catcher.
—Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025
The school board and the mayor called on Gov. Ned Lamont and state Attorney General William Tong to step up to help, warning that other Connecticut communities eventually will be in for the same treatment by Trump’s education department.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
Noun
Inter brought back Cristian Chivu, who only recently made the step-up into senior-level coaching.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 8 June 2025
As with the step-up Sky Glass TVs, the three new Air models can all be bought via monthly instalments, rather than requiring you to find all the money to buy them up front.
—John Archer, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for step up
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/step%20up. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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