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
Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 1 June 2026
Assistant Chief Matt Davis will now step up as acting chief.
—Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Brandon Widder, The Verge, 24 Apr. 2026
Unlike squats, where both legs share the workload, step-ups rely on one leg to produce nearly all of the lifting force, according to Hribick.
—Julia Ries Wexler, Health, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for step up
Verb
Sniffen stepped up with two outs and pulsed his clutch gene, finding the hole between Martin and Cholowsky as Kashimoto sprinted around third base and dove headfirst into home plate.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 1 June 2026
Assistant Chief Matt Davis will now step up as acting chief.
—Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 1 June 2026
Noun
The standard model sounds just as good as the step-up version with active noise cancellation, and because they’re outfitted with Apple’s H2 chip, those with a Mac or iPhone can leverage all sorts of ecosystem tricks, from automatic device switching to hands-free Siri commands.
—Brandon Widder, The Verge, 24 Apr. 2026
Unlike squats, where both legs share the workload, step-ups rely on one leg to produce nearly all of the lifting force, according to Hribick.
—Julia Ries Wexler, Health, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for step up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step up
Verb
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As climate pressures intensify, biodiversity shrinks and consumers demand more transparency, the push to preserve older grain varieties and livestock breeds is reshaping what shows up in grocery aisles and on restaurant menus.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
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Climate models predict a continued, long-term decline of snowpack as the effects of climate change intensify.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
2 June 2026
Noun
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That was the largest increase in the plant’s more than 30-year history, records show.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
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Since 2019, the National Poison Data System has fielded a nearly 1,500% increase in calls related to overdoses or side effects from injectable weight loss drugs.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Hospitals across the state are committed to enhancing outcomes for new and expectant mothers.—
Mary C. Mayhew,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2026
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Huang said Dallas is also enhancing its mosquito surveillance by monitoring not only for West Nile virus, which is endemic in the region, but also diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Other recent call-ups, like Nick Sogard and Mickey Gasper, have also given the lineup a boost.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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Dell said Thursday that its server unit had gotten a massive boost from widening AI adoption, challenging analysts’ assessment that demand for the business was already reflected in the stock price.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
Verb
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As these political divides deepen, observers doubt the election’s credibility.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
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Cultural and political divides deepen in the community, and even within the same household, when a woman brings a single migrant woman into her home.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
Noun
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Each productivity gain becomes a fresh opportunity for business owners to maximize their own gains while using the same technology to further control their employees.—
Christopher Marquis,
Time,
30 May 2026
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In facilities processing millions of parcels each day, even small gains in efficiency can translate into significant operational and economic advantages.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
30 May 2026
Verb
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In some communities distrust of outside authorities and aid organizations has led to attacks on treatment centers, while the outbreak’s spread through Ituri—a major commercial and migration hub—has heightened concerns about wider regional and international transmission.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
29 May 2026
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Distrust, travel bans could complicate response Dangers faced by health workers have been heightened by anger among residents over the stringent medical protocols for handling the victims’ bodies, which clash with local burial rites.—
Jean-Yves Kamale,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
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In addition to the all-hours gym, there is a squash court for those who want to practice their serve.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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Pulte will remain as chairman of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and FHFA director in addition to acting as national intelligence director.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20up. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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