as in intensified
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
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Recent Examples of stepped up
Alexander Romanov also stepped up in a big way last year, and has room to grow in the top four.
—
The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Tensions have risen since Taiwan’s independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party took power in 2016, and the PLA has stepped up military activity around the island.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
In the face of chaos, neighbors stepped up.
—April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Earlier this year, the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, stepped up immigration enforcement, deploying police officers to dozens of maternity wards in the country.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
The guitarist from Lee’s song stepped up to perform her own original tune.
—Jane Bua, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
China has vowed to unify with Taiwan, by force if necessary, and in recent years has stepped up its military activities around the island democracy.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Kaytranada, perennially fashion’s favorite DJ for an after party, stepped up to the decks later in the night.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2025
India, now the world’s fourth-largest economy, has not only stepped up but has positioned itself as a template for climate leadership from the Global South, providing another compelling example of contextual ESG integration.
—Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Tensions have risen since Taiwan’s independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party took power in 2016, and the PLA has stepped up military activity around the island.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
In the face of chaos, neighbors stepped up.
—April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Earlier this year, the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, stepped up immigration enforcement, deploying police officers to dozens of maternity wards in the country.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
The guitarist from Lee’s song stepped up to perform her own original tune.
—Jane Bua, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
China has vowed to unify with Taiwan, by force if necessary, and in recent years has stepped up its military activities around the island democracy.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Kaytranada, perennially fashion’s favorite DJ for an after party, stepped up to the decks later in the night.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2025
India, now the world’s fourth-largest economy, has not only stepped up but has positioned itself as a template for climate leadership from the Global South, providing another compelling example of contextual ESG integration.
—Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped up
Verb
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Despite the stumble, Davis showed charisma and rhythm as the competition intensified.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The budget stalemate has intensified as Democrats feel betrayed by earlier spending cuts that Republicans passed on party lines.—
Ronald J. Hansen,
AZCentral.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Rainfall Trillions upon trillions of gallons of water fell as rain, enhanced by a rain event across the mountains even before Helene made landfall.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The cast-iron is further enhanced with an enamel coating that not only looks attractive, but also prevents food from sticking to the bottom.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Thinking Long-term Della Valle has for years voiced his belief in a long-term approach — heightened and reflected by his decision to delist the group last year.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Tensions have heightened between Tehran and Washington since June, when the United States joined Israel and attacked Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day war between Israel and Iran.—
Parisa Hafezi,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Beijing has also deepened defense partnerships in its neighborhood, notably making inroads in military sales to Indonesia and Malaysia, a recent Lowy Institute report found.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
22 Sep. 2025
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Later, reading researcher Saiful Islam’s book on the fabric’s legacy deepened her commitment.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile in the Pacific, Hurricane Narda has strengthened, but remains south of Baja, California.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
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Fortune’s reporting shows top executives probe for authenticity, motivation, and self-awareness—areas strengthened by Welch’s reframing advice—not weakened by exit signals or defensive answers.—
Ashley Lutz,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The campus, though, has since been closed and consolidated with Forest Oak Middle School.—
Lina Ruiz
September 19,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Sep. 2025
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Advertisement Once the data was collected and evaluated, it was consolidated and weighted in a scoring model based on the three dimensions.—
TIME Staff,
Time,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stepped up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20up. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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