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.
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Recent Examples of step up
Liam Tharme, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
His second game back could require a step up in speed and physicality.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2026
Outside, 31 Jan. 2026
The opulent primary bathroom has a 75-inch Kohler, step-up spa tub and separate walk-in closet fit for royalty.
—Sacbee.com, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for step up
Verb
As a three-time cross country world champion, Kiplimo stepped up to the roads after winning Olympic and World Championship bronze over 10,000m in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
His second game back could require a step up in speed and physicality.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
Even mountaineering training guidance includes step-up exercises to help prime the glutes and quads for intense uphill climbs with a load on your back.
—Outside, 31 Jan. 2026
The opulent primary bathroom has a 75-inch Kohler, step-up spa tub and separate walk-in closet fit for royalty.
—Sacbee.com, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for step up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step up
Verb
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The Iran war intensified as Washington and Tehran focused their attention on the Strait of Hormuz and showed little sign of easing their aerial campaigns.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Benoit Tessier | Reuters LONDON — European stocks are expected to open lower on Wednesday, as traders monitor intensifying operations in the Middle East.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Both variants feature rapid charging technology that remains effective even in harsh climates – at temperatures as low as −22°F, charging time increases by only about three minutes, CarNewsChina reported.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
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That divergence is largely the result of the fact that the consumer price index weighs housing inflation more heavily, and the rate of increases in rent has slowed alongside the overall economy.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With a fleet of 11 classic, mid-sized ships that traverse the globe, this cruise line builds upon its 150 years of maritime heritage with award-winning service, exceptional dining, and loads of activities and enrichment programs that enhance its more than 500 annual sailings.—
Susan B. Barnes,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
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According to the team, the greatest power losses happen because the dust enhances the presence and reflectance of cirrus clouds, reducing how much radiation that reaches solar panels.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But the initial boost to stocks of Archer, BETA, and rival Joby Aviation was short-lived.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
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Now, climate change is giving these squatters a boost.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Less than a mile away, the corps is planning to deepen and widen the shipping channel leading into Port Everglades, blasting through the reef line and dredging up sediment that could smother acres of surrounding coral, according to federal scientists.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
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However, consumer advocates argued the agreement held the line on even higher increases and halted further policy cancellations that have deepened a crisis in the state’s insurance industry.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In fact, JPMorgan has already deployed a large language model used by 150,000 employees weekly, and CEO Jamie Dimon acknowledged that productivity gains from AI could mean the bank will employ fewer people in the coming years.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 2026
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Consuming too much protein can lead to digestive issues, weight gain, and displacing other important nutrients like fiber.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Fouad Berry, a board member at the Islamic Institute of Knowledge in Dearborn, Michigan, said that the community center and mosque is heightening security because of the war.—
Amaarah DeCuir,
The Conversation,
13 Mar. 2026
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While carrying the title of defending champions can heighten pressure, it’s done the opposite for the 2025-26 Huskies.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The gift was designated to further advance and highlight essential and high-level glioblastoma research at UC San Diego, in addition to inspiring others to follow suit and ultimately contribute to this critical and developing area of medical research.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
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The addition of Crosby was supposed to be the piece to help lift the Ravens over the top, with the draft picks expected to be part of a rebuilding effort for the Raiders.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20up. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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