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
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 June 2025
In the past year, Trump has stepped up a legal campaign against major media outlets including CBS, leading some First Amendment experts to decry his use of legal threats and lawsuits to tie up and intimidate newsrooms.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 26 June 2025
James Horncastle, New York Times, 8 June 2025
As with the step-up Sky Glass TVs, the three new Air models can all be bought via monthly instalments, rather than requiring you to find all the money to buy them up front.
—John Archer, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for step up
Verb
That could reduce the urgency for Beijing to step up stimulus at the upcoming Politburo meeting in July, Xing added.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 June 2025
In the past year, Trump has stepped up a legal campaign against major media outlets including CBS, leading some First Amendment experts to decry his use of legal threats and lawsuits to tie up and intimidate newsrooms.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 26 June 2025
Noun
Inter brought back Cristian Chivu, who only recently made the step-up into senior-level coaching.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 8 June 2025
As with the step-up Sky Glass TVs, the three new Air models can all be bought via monthly instalments, rather than requiring you to find all the money to buy them up front.
—John Archer, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for step up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step up
Verb
-
While inflation and rising interest rates have intensified financial pressure across the board, the impact has been disproportionately severe for those already operating at a capital disadvantage, which includes many women of color entrepreneurs.—
Alejandra Rojas,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
-
Getty Images Cybercriminals have intensified their efforts to steal and sell online passwords, experts warn.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
One reported a 60% increase in sales within four months, while another saved 30-hours per week on decision-making processes, according to Medone.—
Sonia Osorio,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
-
Spike in Civilian Deaths The United Nations has reported a sharp increase in civilian casualties in Ukraine.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
These gothic elements enhance the book’s central preoccupations of trust, fidelity, and the difficulty of fully knowing another person—or oneself.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
23 June 2025
-
Some things in life are mood enhancing and for me one of those things are narrowing down the products that will make it in my suitcase for my summer excursions.—
Samantha Mims,
Essence,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
However, here’s the catch: these estimates do not even include the prospective boost from the new cryptocurrency offerings.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Even small habits, such as drinking green tea every morning or incorporating spicy foods into your meals, may offer a slight boost.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
My top goal is to deepen team alignment around our core mission, as clarity drives performance.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
While focused largely on political rights, the U.N. report also highlights Venezuela’s deepening economic collapse.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
These gains are achieved through standardized, scalable and reusable systems as well as automated workflows.—
Steve Millidge,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
In Europe, the Stoxx 600 is up 6.7%, and in Asia, most major markets are in positive territory, with Hong Kong and South Korea posting a whopping 20% gain year to date.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Undermining it can silence voices, suppress creativity and heighten risk exposure, especially in cybersecurity and compliance-sensitive environments where early detection and reporting are critical to resilience and trust.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
The impact of this powerful novel is heightened by Golden Voice narrator Nicholas Boulton’s keen understanding of its author’s purposes.—
AudioFile Magazine
June 27,
Literary Hub,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
Auckland City earned $3.58m USD for their participation in the tournament, in addition to a $1m bonus from FIFA for the draw against Boca.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
27 June 2025
-
The Beach Boys Climb Multiple Billboard Charts The same gathering of the Beach Boys’ most familiar tunes appears on two other Billboard lists, in addition to the Billboard 200 and the Top Streaming Albums roster.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20up. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share