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
Ronnie Li, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Hannah McGuire stepped up to a microphone outside City Hall with hands clasped together in front of her and took a deep breath.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Nov. 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
His two older daughters, Christina and Stephanie, stepped up, ready to give him the ultimate gift — but after months of testing, neither was a match.
—Ronnie Li, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Hannah McGuire stepped up to a microphone outside City Hall with hands clasped together in front of her and took a deep breath.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Nov. 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
-
Violence has intensified, humanitarian aid remains blocked, and political prisoners, including my mother, remain behind bars.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Yet even among a number of Christians seeking to raise awareness and intensify efforts to put an end to systematic abuses committed by Boko Haram and other jihadi movements, the prospect of foreign intervention raises serious concerns.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Based on his wealth-to-spending math, Yaros estimated that stock market gains in the last 12 months from the tech sector alone will boost annual consumption by nearly $250 billion, which would account for more than 20% of the cumulative spending increase.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Electronics would have seen the biggest increase, with shoppers spending an extra $186 while clothing or accessories would have cost $82 more.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Since 2019, California has partnered with jurisdictions in 28 countries—touching more than a quarter of the world’s population, with a combined GDP in the tens of trillions of dollars—to cut greenhouse gases, enhance climate resilience and develop clean energy.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The stretchy cuffs help lock in heat, while the palm side has grip-enhancing rubber details.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The return of that duo would provide a huge boost for an offense that looked overmatched in its last matchup against a contender, a 24-9 Week 7 loss in Detroit.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
For customers upgrading from DSL or cable, Brightspeed Fiber offers a major boost in reliability and upload speeds without the complexity of traditional service agreements.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Japan, one of the world’s most homogeneous nations, faces deepening labor shortages as its birth rate plummets and its population ages.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Using fractional diffusion theory, the research deepens understanding of transient charging behaviors in complex materials, which is key to designing high-performance components used for advanced engineering electrochemical systems in general.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The company said all regions and channels delivered double-digit gains.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Needing a first down to seal the game, McCarthy found Jalen Nailor for a 16-yard gain to convert on a high-pressure third down that allowed the Vikings to take a knee and run out the rest of the clock.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
That imprimatur greatly heightens their appeal.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
1 Nov. 2025
-
Such a move would also fuel distrust between the US and China and heighten their nuclear arms rivalry, analysts said.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Dan Angel and Bradley Gardner executive produce, with both Duhame and Kelly executive producing in addition to starring.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
-
In addition to free admission, members receive invitations to members-only preview parties and special events, free admission to approximately six After Hours events, $4 off tickets to Speed Cinema, discounted admission on select programs, and more.—
Kirby Adams,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20up. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share