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
ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
But with Juan Soto and Brett Baty both out Sunday, Jared Young and Luis Torrens stepped up for the Mets in a big way.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Feb. 2026
According to the Roadmap for Accelerating the Shift Towards a Just Energy Transition for the fashion industry in Bangladesh, launched Tuesday at the OECD Forum in Paris, there is extreme urgency for a fast and fair switch to clean energy, backed by a step-up in financing from global brands.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for step up
Verb
The villagers huddled in their church for protection as Israeli warplanes pounded large swaths of southern and eastern Lebanon while Israeli troops stepped up a ground invasion and Hezbollah kept firing rockets at Israel.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
But with Juan Soto and Brett Baty both out Sunday, Jared Young and Luis Torrens stepped up for the Mets in a big way.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
If the intensity wasn’t necessarily up there with Dwyane Wade busting Kobe Bryant’s nose in 2012, this was still a massive step-up from the 211-186 result of two years ago.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Feb. 2026
According to the Roadmap for Accelerating the Shift Towards a Just Energy Transition for the fashion industry in Bangladesh, launched Tuesday at the OECD Forum in Paris, there is extreme urgency for a fast and fair switch to clean energy, backed by a step-up in financing from global brands.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for step up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step up
Verb
-
Rumours of a temporary switch to Girona intensified in the Spanish media.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Disagreements with the board are a routine part of C-suite life, but the transformative potential of AI—and the speed at which successful companies are moving from experimentation to application—has intensified the pressure significantly.—
Francesca Cassidy,
Fortune,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At least three men were taken into custody by federal agents outside a San Bernardino County Superior Court on Thursday in what advocates are calling an alarming increase of immigration enforcement actions outside courthouses in the region.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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Lawmakers agreed to lower, but not eliminate, the income tax rate while limiting increases on property tax assessments.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
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Barco notes that Lightsteering redistributes existing light instead of demand- ing more, enhancing contrast and brightness without consuming more energy (and adding to energy bills).—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The upside in the Neo isn't really about a near-term boost in device sales.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
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Agosto said Rodriguez started to drink Alani Nu because of posts on social media that advertised it with wellness and health benefits, as well as an energy boost.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Haiti, the most impoverished country in the Western Hemisphere, has been hit the hardest by rising oil prices that experts warn will deepen a spiraling humanitarian crisis.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
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The appointment comes as Rapha continues to expand its global community of riders and Rapha Cycling Club (RCC) members and deepen its presence in competitive cycling.—
Sportico Staff,
Sportico.com,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some economists — including Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell — argued that sentiment would eventually catch up to reality once Americans adjusted to higher prices, and paycheck gains padded their bank accounts.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
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Chip stocks have surged this week as investors snapped up semiconductor names in lieu of software, with the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) closing the week with an 11% gain.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The largest monthly jump in gas prices in six decades caused a sharp spike in inflation in March, creating major challenges for the inflation-fighters at the Federal Reserve and heightening the political hurdles for the White House.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
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Even if the setting and circumstances are over the top, the choices the characters make track as actual human behavior (if heightened).—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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With the addition of Santa Rosa, the airline now operates at 14 airports across California.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
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In addition, Ken is an Emmy-award winning broadcaster for Fox Sports’ MLB telecasts.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20up. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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