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
Rafael Nam, NPR, 22 July 2025
What To Know Russia has been stepping up its Shahed-type strike drones and decoy drones in overnight strikes with the largest attack so far including 728 drones taking place on July 8.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 11 July 2025
Other Planning Considerations Review existing trusts and estate plans for opportunities to modify existing irrevocable trusts to allow for step-up in income tax basis that may not have been contemplated in the initial plan.
—Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for step up
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Verb
Trump administration steps up pressure on Powell Top government officials have also stepped up their criticism of Powell's tenure at the Fed.
—Rafael Nam, NPR, 22 July 2025
What To Know Russia has been stepping up its Shahed-type strike drones and decoy drones in overnight strikes with the largest attack so far including 728 drones taking place on July 8.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
Noun
Although its appearance was short overall, the Fortress was a step-up from ‘Smallville’, with a bigger space, characters like Kelex keeping the structure clean and safe from outsiders, and more ancestors to talk to Kara and others.
—Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 11 July 2025
Other Planning Considerations Review existing trusts and estate plans for opportunities to modify existing irrevocable trusts to allow for step-up in income tax basis that may not have been contemplated in the initial plan.
—Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 7 July 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 26 Jul. 2025.
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