STEP UP Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

step up 1 of 2

verb

Definition of step up

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

step-up

2 of 2

noun

ˈstep-ˌəp

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. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of step up

Verb

With early voting underway, candidates are stepping up efforts to connect with voters across Georgia. — Monique John, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 The Broncos could use him stepping up with more weapons this year. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Noun

These exercises included marching in place, stair step-ups, and fast bodyweight squats, all of which could be performed at home with no equipment and without dedicating a large block of time. — Jennifer Klump, Verywell Health, 12 June 2026 The federal estate tax was effectively repealed for those who died in 2010 as a result of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, although executors could elect to apply the estate tax rules to take advantage of the step-up in basis which would have otherwise been lost. — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for step up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for step up

Verb

The complex political and economic climate has only intensified their desire to invest their own time and resources in uplifting other Latino and Hispanic creatives.

— Terry Tang, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Their push intensified as questions emerged about district contracts and payments involving a consultant with ties to Sneed.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of intensify

Noun

The third such increase went into effect this month, but this time there was no such rush.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The result is a modest but welcome increase in output, which climbs from 370 hp to 388 hp, while torque remains unchanged at 331 ft lbs.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of increase

Verb

Pierce and Kember were born in the same place on the same day, a lore-enhancing coincidence too stupid to make up.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
Here will be the makings of an 85-acre live-work-play sector of the city that theoretically will seamlessly nestle into a neighborhood and enhance everything from The Crossroads Arts District to Union Station and the National WWI Museum & Memorial.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of enhance

Noun

Nvidia has given its frame-generation tech a boost with a new performance mode, available now in the beta release of the Nvidia app.

— Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
Back then, Pritzker was able to spend tens of millions to give Bailey a boost because the billionaire Democrat viewed him as an easier opponent.

— Chris Tye, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of boost

Verb

While security is by far the most pressing priority, new projections from the IMF have revealed the war’s deepening economic toll.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Washington, for its part, is creating friction in many of its partnerships instead of deepening them, and risks squandering its network just as its adversaries are learning to make more of theirs.

— Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of deepen

Noun

If the answer is yes, the efficiency gain may be a competitive loss in disguise.

— Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Student test scores in the largest Sacramento-region school districts generally show a similar pattern of modest gains the recent years, but achievement levels in most cases are below the pre-pandemic scores of 2018-19.

— Chaewon Chung October 17, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of gain

Verb

By then, playoff implications could be at stake, which would heighten the tension even more between these bitter rivals.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Attacks in the Black Sea have also heightened fears about global food security, as Ukraine is one of the world’s largest exports of grain.

— Svitlana Vlasova, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of heighten

Noun

Over the record’s 33 minutes, Holden delivers an outstanding addition to his catalog that’s as absorbing and realist as any rap album this year.

— Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026
The Danish Dogma25 projects are financed in a collaboration between Zentropa, DR, and Nordisk Film Distribution, with the addition of Netflix in the Nordics, constituting the core financing necessary to realize all five projects.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of addition

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steps up

step up

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“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20up. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of step up

verb

noun

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