as in to intensify
to make markedly greater in measure or degree
candidates stepping up their campaigns as election day draws near stepped up the pace to catch up with the others
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in increase
something added (as by growth)
there's been a step-up in productivity since regular breaks were offered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of step up
Franco Panizo, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Another four-year deal seems reasonable considering Schwarber will be 33 next season, but will any team step up and outbid the Phillies, potentially even by a decent margin?
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Michael Engle, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Exercises like wall-sits, clam shells, step-ups, and Romanian deadlifts target the knees and surrounding muscles to improve strength and stability.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step up
Verb
After Rodrigo De Paul was clipped inside the 18-yard box for a penalty, Suarez stepped up to coolly convert from the spot with a low effort to the left.
—Franco Panizo, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Another four-year deal seems reasonable considering Schwarber will be 33 next season, but will any team step up and outbid the Phillies, potentially even by a decent margin?
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
Second, evaluate which transactions should require step-up verification.
—Michael Engle, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Exercises like wall-sits, clam shells, step-ups, and Romanian deadlifts target the knees and surrounding muscles to improve strength and stability.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step up
Verb
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These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Sep. 2025
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This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
28 Sep. 2025
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In the video announcement, Adams touted a decrease in multiple crime areas and an increase in diverse leadership across city departments during his time as mayor.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kaiping Peng, principal investigator of the report and a professor in the department of psychological and cognitive sciences at Tsinghua University, said understanding and enhancing the well-being of the Chinese people is one of the most vital subjects today.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
25 Sep. 2025
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This configuration allows for the polarization-maintaining operation of its optical components and reduces the total number of parts, which in turn minimizes signal loss and enhances operational stability.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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With Cassidy back in the fold, AEW's active babyface roster has gotten a boost.—
Fernando Quiles Jr,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
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In its final week, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club saw a boost in business, jumping $191,242 over the previous week to land at $820,805.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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His appetites and his animosities only deepen.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
27 Sep. 2025
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Jung Yeon-Je / AFP via Getty Images file Kim has also deepened his country’s military cooperation with Russia, sending artillery and thousands of troops to support President Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine.—
Stella Kim,
NBC news,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Luxshare's 10% jump brought its year-to-date gains to about 50%.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
22 Sep. 2025
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Hampton surged down the right sideline for a 22-yard gain.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The stakes feel heightened not because of the content itself, but because these shows, by sheer longevity, have become cultural infrastructure.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
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Separating the weakling from the herd only heightened their fear.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In addition to its dramatic landscapes with layered rock formations, steep canyons, and towering spires, Badlands National Park protects an expanse of mixed-grass prairie among its 244,000 acres, where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live and roam.—
Dave Parfitt,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
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In addition, the plan incorporates changes to off-site roads and intersections to ideally improve traffic flow and better promote walking, biking and transit.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20up. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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