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
ABC News, 20 July 2025
Some supporters are threatening boycotts, which could hurt Home Depot as DIY customers slow down spending and the company tries to step up business with contractors.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 18 July 2025
Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
An upstairs primary suite comes with a fireplace, Juliet balconies, a separate lounge, a walk-in closet, and a bath flaunting dual vanities and a step-up soaking tub.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for step up
Verb
Congress is supposed to do their job and step up and hold presidents accountable.
—ABC News, 20 July 2025
Some supporters are threatening boycotts, which could hurt Home Depot as DIY customers slow down spending and the company tries to step up business with contractors.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 18 July 2025
Noun
The design has a variety of building plans that will include starter homes, step-up homes and homes to downsize that can allow residents to transition at different life stages within the neighborhood, said Caleb Thorne of RaganSmith, representing the developers.
—Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
An upstairs primary suite comes with a fireplace, Juliet balconies, a separate lounge, a walk-in closet, and a bath flaunting dual vanities and a step-up soaking tub.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for step up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step up
Verb
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The scrutiny then further intensified following a Thursday report from the Wall Street Journal citing a 50th birthday letter from Trump to Epstein that included an outline of a naked woman, sketched in marker, and Trump's signature.—
Mandy Taheri
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
-
The civil war in Syria intensified in 2014 as the PKK was withdrawing its fighters from Turkey.—
Ragip Soylu,
Time,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
Certain travel agencies have seen a decline in travel as the cost of living increases.—
Leah Olajide,
Freep.com,
27 July 2025
-
Among the exercises examined, yoga showed the most promise—it was associated with a nearly two-hour increase in total sleep time, an almost 16% improvement in sleep efficiency, and a roughly 30-minute reduction in sleep onset.—
Brian Mastroianni,
Health,
26 July 2025
Verb
-
Senate Bill 6, authored by Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, seeks to bolster grid reliability, enhance outage protections for residential consumers, adjust transmission cost allocations and improve ERCOT's load forecasting transparency.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Moreover, while improving soil health and biodiversity, ranchers can enhance productivity.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
The Kpop Demon Hunters soundtrack has already been slaying on the charts, and now, David Guetta is joining the project to give one of its songs an extra boost.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
25 July 2025
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These include profit boosts and early payouts at the top of the home page.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
Beyond product, the brand is committed to deepening its physical presence in key markets.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
24 July 2025
-
Some want to deepen their work without managing others.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
Success metrics should include engagement and satisfaction alongside performance gains.—
Rick Inatome,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
-
For many months, job gains have been concentrated in just a few sectors – health care, state and local governments, and leisure and hospitality.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
28 July 2025
Verb
-
As the threats heightened, her mother desperately searched for a way to protect her youngest daughter.—
Laura Rodríguez Presa,
Chicago Tribune,
20 July 2025
-
Awareness of racial injustice was heightened, but five years later, there has been a backlash.—
Beth Wood,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 July 2025
Noun
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That means Superman only has a few days left to itself before facing direct competition, in addition to losing Imax screens and other premium-large format auditoriums to Fantastic Four, which is tracking to open to $100 million to $110 million domestically.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
20 July 2025
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In addition to the elevated dining, first class passengers on Acela are also treated to other perks, like access to station lounges, including the Metropolitan Lounge at New York's Moynihan Train Hall, which features large glass windows, contemporary flooring, Wi-Fi, and snacks.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
20 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20up. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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