Synonyms of step up

step up 1 of 2

verb

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

• intensify
• enhance
• deepen
• heighten
• strengthen
• consolidate
• reinforce
• beef (up)
• amp (up)
• boost
• sharpen
• amplify
• redouble
• point (up)
• accentuate
• broaden
• expand
• emphasize
• magnify
• enforce
• augment
• extend
• accelerate
• supplement
• lengthen
• maximize
• enlarge
• hasten
• jazz (up)
• stress
• quicken
• exacerbate
• aggravate
• enliven
• restrengthen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tone (down)
• reduce
• moderate
• decrease
• diminish
• abate
• weaken
• lessen
• subdue
• recede
• let up (on)
• alleviate
• subside
• lighten
• ease
• taper (off)
• wane
• dwindle

step-up

2 of 2

noun

ˈstep-ˌəp 

as in increase

something added (as by growth)

there's been a step-up in productivity since regular breaks were offered

Synonyms & Similar Words

• increase
• boost
• gain
• addition
• rise
• raise
• increment
• augmentation
• expansion
• supplement
• accrual
• plus
• proliferation
• accretion
• uptick
• addendum
• accumulation
• continuation
• more
• complement
• extension
• jump
• collection
• spike
• upturn
• gathering
• assemblage
• accession
• appendix
• uptrend
• run-up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduction
• decrease
• loss
• decline
• lowering
• depletion
• diminution
• fall
• abatement
• decrement
• shrinkage
• lessening
• step-down
• deduction
• diminishment
• falloff
• drop-off
• subtraction

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of step up

Verb

Falcon 9 steps up again… The awards were made under the competitive National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 program. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026

Messi’s close friend, 39-year-old Luis Suarez, has stepped up in his absence with a brace against Chicago and the lone goal against Montreal. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Noun

These exercises included marching in place, stair step-ups, and fast bodyweight squats, all of which could be performed at home with no equipment and without dedicating a large block of time. — Jennifer Klump, Verywell Health, 12 June 2026

The federal estate tax was effectively repealed for those who died in 2010 as a result of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, although executors could elect to apply the estate tax rules to take advantage of the step-up in basis which would have otherwise been lost. — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026