STEPPED UP Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

stepped up

verb

Definition of stepped up

past tense of step up

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 Fulton’s defense stepped up with Derra Reth getting the game’s first interception. — Felipe Gamino, Daily News, 22 Aug. 2026 In his absence, Van de Ven, whom De Zerbi has talked up as the best left-sided centre-back in Europe, stepped up and played the best and most consistent stretch of the season. — Elias Burke, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Both sides have stepped up their air campaigns as the front lines remain largely static, locked in a slow-moving, deadly stalemate. — Kosta Gak, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 That came after countries including France and Germany stepped up efforts to attract students disillusioned with the prospect of a US education. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026 The Eagles defense stepped up in the second half, stopping Armwood on three possessions. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026 One swing can change that and our guys have really stepped up. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026 In recent years, Indonesia has stepped up its efforts to recover cultural artifacts that were collected, stolen and trafficked during its colonial-era. — News Desk, Artforum, 24 July 2026 Energetic Pursuit On a frigid, sunny morning in December 2025, Picard stepped up to a podium wearing a sweater embroidered with a squiggly cartoon of a mitochondrion. — Rachel Nuwer, Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped up

Verb

That momentum intensified into 2026 before reversing sharply in recent weeks, leaving the four stocks roughly 20% to 40% below their late-June peaks.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
The competition has intensified over the past year as Netflix has stepped up its pursuit of YouTube’s most popular channels.

— Lucas Shaw, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of intensified

Verb

At West Ham, Fernandes enhanced his reputation as a player who can not only drive his team forward but also play a key role out of possession, defending on the front foot.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Vuong’s photographs are displayed rather conventionally on the gallery walls, but the viewing experience is enhanced by images of his that have been printed on cloth banners that hang in the center of the space.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of enhanced

Verb

The plan is for vertical series that have heightened genre concepts and richer world building, while sticking to the snappy, emotionally intense and hook-led style of many current microdramas.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
At this moment, the kids from the childcare program are released into the sanctuary, their excitement at seeing their parents and hearing the shofar only heightened by whatever has made all of their mouths blue.

— Risa Polansky Shiman, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of heightened

Verb

China, which appointed an ambassador to the Taliban government in December 2023, has deepened its economic ties, with Chinese companies becoming major players in Afghan oil, copper and lithium extraction.

— Kara Fox, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Students and families said the shift has been especially severe in parts of the south, including Helmand and Kandahar, where families already placed a stronger emphasis on religious studies and Taliban rule has deepened that pressure.

— Fatima Faizi, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of deepened

Verb

Nashville strengthened its push for the Supporters’ Shield and extended its lead to 5 points over Inter Miami on a night Lionel Messi again failed to convert a penalty.

— Dean Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
California in 2015 enacted a law that strengthened vaccine requirements for schoolchildren.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of strengthened

Browse Nearby Words

stepped out

stepped up

steppes

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“Stepped up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20up. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of stepped up

verb

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