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
Christian Romo, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Arizona was a leader in this, stepping up and understanding that extreme heat is an interesting hybrid calamity.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 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
The Lions also welcomed cornerback Terrion Arnold back to practice, with the team asking Arnold to step up in Reed's absence.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Arizona was a leader in this, stepping up and understanding that extreme heat is an interesting hybrid calamity.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 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
-
Human rights advocates say Israel’s destruction of health infrastructure and intensified hostilities have hampered efforts to document the full scope of famine in Gaza.—
Soph Warnes,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
-
As the winds intensified, power lines across the city started to fault.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In 2011, the Wisconsin State Legislature altered the property tax levy formula limits, eliminating the 2% ceiling that local municipalities could draw from taxpayers in places where new construction couldn't justify a larger levy increase.—
Jim Riccioli,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Numbers provided by Cincinnati Public Schools show that the school district had 4,326 homeless students last year, representing a 77% increase from a decade prior, despite total student enrollment increasing by only 538 students over the same period of time.—
Elizabeth B. Kim,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Rainy weather driving tips Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Wyatt’s pointed use of stark silence to enhance some of the tense moments before battles break out is an effective formal choice that, without the use of slow motion, produces the feeling of time moving differently, making the viewer hyper-aware of what may come.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Page’s wealth received a boost after a major antitrust case in 2024, when the Department of Justice asked Google to sell its Chrome browser to curb market dominance.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The rind can also be blended into smoothies for an extra nutrient boost.—
Lauren Manaker MS,
Verywell Health,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Over the years, Kahn has seen her friend’s spirituality and connection to others deepen.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
As their bond deepens, Tate must confront dark secrets from Wren’s past and the possibility that love can transcend life and death.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
After the Dolphins reclaimed the lead at 24-20 on a Jaylen Waddle touchdown catch, Dowdle started the ensuing drive with a 16-yard gain but then limped to the sideline with cramps in both calves.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Although those companies have driven enormous market gains over the past several years, many Wall Street analysts fear that the AI market has become a bubble — powered by unsustainable gains that are driven more by FOMO than fundamentals.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This continuous conversation, heightened by agile promo tactics and surprise announcements, is central to Swift’s stranglehold on cultural capital.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Visible operations—from stealth fighters and amphibious assault ships to transport aircraft—serve both as a deterrent and preparation for potential intervention, thereby heightening regional stakes.—
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
So, too, was Monday night when the Panthers saw the latest addition to their jewelry collection during a private ceremony at the War Memorial Auditorium on the eve of their 2025-26 season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Looks like a decent loan addition.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20up. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share