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
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Recent Examples of step up
Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
City leaders heeded the advice of a group of business, labor and community leaders known as the Cincinnati Futures Commission to step up parking enforcement.
—Scott Wartman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2025
Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2025
Four of the five bedrooms connect to the gardens, while a step-up soaking tub and walk-in closet with luxe paneling are standout features of the primary suite.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step up
Verb
Perrin told Esquire in 2019 that after Ashley’s death, the gay community stepped up for her amid her grief, even as some of her friends turned away.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
City leaders heeded the advice of a group of business, labor and community leaders known as the Cincinnati Futures Commission to step up parking enforcement.
—Scott Wartman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
And lower on the food chain, AI is still consistently valued at a premium, with PitchBook reporting that median Series B step-up for AI startups is 2.1x, well above the median of 1.4x that all other categories fetch.
—Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2025
Four of the five bedrooms connect to the gardens, while a step-up soaking tub and walk-in closet with luxe paneling are standout features of the primary suite.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step up
Verb
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The interview came as federal investigators intensified their search for Kirk's killer.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
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Apple didn’t explain its reasoning behind the decision, but the market for satellite-to-phone service is intensifying.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The brutal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on a college campus shocked the nation and is forcing it to confront what appears to be an increase in political violence across the country.—
Carlie Procell,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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Labor Department data released on Thursday showed one of the biggest weekly increases in jobless claims in more than a year.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The trio, working in tandem with a blend of 30 essential oils and extracts, comes together to condition hair follicles, relieve dry scalp, smooth split ends, and enhance hair elasticity.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
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That is, the group enables Hamas to be both arsonist and firefighter, enhancing its control and reach into the lives of average, everyday Palestinians in Gaza.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The expiring boost, implemented in Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act under former President Joe Biden, applies to 22 million of the 24 million low- and middle-income Americans with plans through the ACA marketplace.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
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Approval would let Ripple operate as a federally regulated trust bank—a substantial legitimacy boost.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This technological advance is expected to significantly deepen our understanding of brain function, providing critical insights into how perception, cognition, and behavior are intricately linked to underlying neural processes.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
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Rethinking Education For The AI Age Our educational systems, designed for a pre-digital world, are vulnerable to deepening the hybrid cognitive trap.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Unrealized gains are marked-to-market, and a hefty tax bill may follow.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Voters instead delivered gains to both far-right and far-left parties.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And heightened security measures – whether widespread bag checks in places where nearly everyone is carrying a bag or the use of metal detectors – slow that down.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
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The sharp drop in mortgage rates owes in part to government data showing a significant decline in hiring, which has heightened expectations that the Federal Reserve will slash interest rates and in turn put downward pressure on borrowing costs, some analysts told ABC News.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In addition to dazzling sunflowers, the preserve is known for its wildflowers like prairie violets and pasqueflowers, and sunflowers.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
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In addition to the tag team match and mixed tag match, Brock Lesnar and John Cena will battle one-on-one.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20up. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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