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
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Recent Examples of step up
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025
He’s stepped up to that stage and being in England will put the finishing touches on his game.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025
PC Magazine, 25 July 2025
Plus, transferring property can have huge tax consequences, including the loss of step-up in tax basis that your attorney mentioned as well as property tax reassessments.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for step up
Verb
The Texans’ defense was pushing the offensive line back, but center Austin Corbett was able to anchor against a defensive lineman, which allowed Young to step up in the pocket and throw off-platform to Mitchell for a big gain.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025
He’s stepped up to that stage and being in England will put the finishing touches on his game.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
Most entry-level cameras omit weather protection—Canon leaves it out of its most affordable EOS RP and step-up EOS R8 bodies, for instance—but Nikon puts it in the Z5II, and in the Z 5 for that matter.
—PC Magazine, 25 July 2025
Plus, transferring property can have huge tax consequences, including the loss of step-up in tax basis that your attorney mentioned as well as property tax reassessments.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for step up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step up
Verb
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West won't feel the fall preview Folks in the West would welcome some of the chill that will overtake the Midwest and Northeast: Dangerous heat is expected to intensify and expand in coverage over much of the western U.S. into the weekend, the National Weather Service said.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
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Scientists, as a group, lean more Democratic and less Republican than the rest of the public, a trend that seems to have intensified in recent decades.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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That's more than any other year since 2013 and would be a 56% increase over the 25 executions conducted last year.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
20 Aug. 2025
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That’s a fivefold increase, fueled by ticket sales across the two biggest stadiums at the U.S. Open, Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong, enhanced sponsorship interest and the other revenues that come from bringing top stars to play on ESPN.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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What steps to follow when driving in the rain? Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
23 Aug. 2025
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His ongoing mission is to elevate public safety and rescue operations, using technology to enhance how communities respond to the needs of their most vulnerable citizens.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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There's also a special boost available for the final round of the BMW Championship.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
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At least in the short term, club officials think there might be such a boost.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Laureano has deepened his hitting groove so far with his team.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Aug. 2025
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In short, a healthy conflict serves as a reminder that the relationship can survive tough moments and even deepen because of them.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Employers added just 73,000 jobs and employment gains for May and June were revised down by a massive 258,000.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
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The gains came mainly from exports to the U.S. Without their impact, the overall tally would have been down 0.9 percent, the industry body said.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Trump administration has also heightened deportation efforts — but Giordano said what city and department officials have been saying for months: Phoenix police do not enforce immigration laws and do not work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.—
Elena Santa Cruz,
AZCentral.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Auroral activity has been heightened since last year, when the sun reached the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, which is a catalyst for coronal mass ejections and solar flares that contribute to stronger auroral activity.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Under Ohio law, the country club is owed triple damages for the theft in addition to punitive and other damages, making the total for both Lee and Sulky nearly $4 million.—
Kevin Grasha,
The Enquirer,
26 Aug. 2025
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Below are the five core phases, in addition to construction and operations.—
Yuvraj Kshirsagar,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20up. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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