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.
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
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 June 2025
In the past year, Trump has stepped up a legal campaign against major media outlets including CBS, leading some First Amendment experts to decry his use of legal threats and lawsuits to tie up and intimidate newsrooms.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 26 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
Verb
That could reduce the urgency for Beijing to step up stimulus at the upcoming Politburo meeting in July, Xing added.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 June 2025
In the past year, Trump has stepped up a legal campaign against major media outlets including CBS, leading some First Amendment experts to decry his use of legal threats and lawsuits to tie up and intimidate newsrooms.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 26 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step up
Verb
-
But as the strikes intensified, targeting infrastructure and killing ordinary citizens, many Iranians began to conclude that the attacks were not merely a war against the regime but a war against the nation itself.—
MOHAMMAD AYATOLLAHI TABAAR,
Foreign Affairs,
8 July 2025
-
Recent layoff announcements have only intensified these concerns.—
C200,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
One reported a 60% increase in sales within four months, while another saved 30-hours per week on decision-making processes, according to Medone.—
Sonia Osorio,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
-
Spike in Civilian Deaths The United Nations has reported a sharp increase in civilian casualties in Ukraine.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Although generative AI fuels the potential for automation to eliminate jobs, AI can also enhance technical, creative, legal and business roles, the report said.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 July 2025
-
But with a smart approach, mirrors can truly enhance a space.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 July 2025
Noun
-
However, here’s the catch: these estimates do not even include the prospective boost from the new cryptocurrency offerings.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
The video was a hit and gave his channel a significant boost.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
My top goal is to deepen team alignment around our core mission, as clarity drives performance.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
While focused largely on political rights, the U.N. report also highlights Venezuela’s deepening economic collapse.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
These gains are achieved through standardized, scalable and reusable systems as well as automated workflows.—
Steve Millidge,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
In Europe, the Stoxx 600 is up 6.7%, and in Asia, most major markets are in positive territory, with Hong Kong and South Korea posting a whopping 20% gain year to date.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
These worries were heightened when, at the end of June, Richard Goodman, one of the senior civil servants in the DfT, wrote to Collier to reinforce Alexander's message.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
9 July 2025
-
The tension between the state and Trump heightened at the end of May, before the state's track and field championship, which saw a trans athlete take first place in two girls' events.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
In addition to the 40,000-plus metalheads who crammed into the venue for the show, according to The Guardian more than five million fans livestreamed the metal marathon worldwide on a two-hour delay.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
8 July 2025
-
In addition to the time behind bars, Kendall ordered the $2 million fine, finding that financial penalties for politicians who engage in corruption should be far higher and noting the money will go to help victims of crime in which the defendants are not as wealthy as Burke.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20up. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share