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
Roy said Crave stepped up to support the show as originally envisioned.
—
Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2026
On the corner of Fairway Drive and Texas 26, a stage was set up where a slew of speakers stepped up to invigorate the crowd.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
Within days, China's surprise intervention on the deal quickly shattered that hope, as Beijing stepped up efforts to discourage Chinese AI founders from moving business offshore.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Fort Lauderdale police have stepped up patrols for the city's annual spring break, focusing on maintaining order with a strict no-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol on the beach.
—Bri Buckley, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Mascherano said the defense has stepped up, especially since the retirement of Spanish legends Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
—Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Now that the price of diesel fuel has gone through the roof, once again, our commander in chief has stepped up to the podium with more sage advice, this time to truckers, telling them to fill their diesel-engine vehicles with regular gas.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2026
The government has stepped up anti-terror monitoring, citing global tensions and large crowds of international fans, while police deployed surveillance vehicles and jamming equipment to block unauthorized drones.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
When Zarate singled with two outs in the 10th to put runners on first and second, Kelnar stepped up to the plate.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2026
On the corner of Fairway Drive and Texas 26, a stage was set up where a slew of speakers stepped up to invigorate the crowd.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026
Within days, China's surprise intervention on the deal quickly shattered that hope, as Beijing stepped up efforts to discourage Chinese AI founders from moving business offshore.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Fort Lauderdale police have stepped up patrols for the city's annual spring break, focusing on maintaining order with a strict no-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol on the beach.
—Bri Buckley, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Mascherano said the defense has stepped up, especially since the retirement of Spanish legends Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
—Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Now that the price of diesel fuel has gone through the roof, once again, our commander in chief has stepped up to the podium with more sage advice, this time to truckers, telling them to fill their diesel-engine vehicles with regular gas.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2026
The government has stepped up anti-terror monitoring, citing global tensions and large crowds of international fans, while police deployed surveillance vehicles and jamming equipment to block unauthorized drones.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
When Zarate singled with two outs in the 10th to put runners on first and second, Kelnar stepped up to the plate.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped up
Verb
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Among those whose commitment to Israel had intensified after October 7th, numerous sources told me, was Olitzky, Beth El’s senior rabbi.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Israel has intensified its attacks across Lebanon, mostly in the South, where Israeli ground troops are moving northward to try to oust Hezbollah militants.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Yet in the 12 games since his return, despite initial rustiness, Flagg has enhanced his diverse talents, a clear indication Kidd’s early-season decision to play him at point guard was a beneficial litmus test.—
Brad Townsend,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
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But advertising executives say that, thanks to enhanced targeting capabilities and new ad products, ad tiers have quietly become more lucrative than their ad-free counterparts.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Inflation fears have heightened, as has uncertainty.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Mental health concerns have only heightened as AI chatbots that respond to questions and generate content become more popular.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Cooperation between the countries has deepened in recent years, with the North sending troops and conventional weapons to support Russia's war against Ukraine.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Mar. 2026
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Her voice—newly deepened and textured—became the most important instrument in the room, the centerpiece of every song.—
Jackson Howard,
Pitchfork,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Eyewitness imagery strengthened that assessment.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
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The Worldpay deal also bolstered Global Payments presence in Europe and strengthened some of its offerings such as e-commerce capabilities.—
Justin Zacks,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That suit joins hundreds of others already consolidated in federal court in California’s Northern District.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
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Those lawsuits were consolidated March 17 in the southern district of Texas.—
Aarón Torres,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stepped up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20up. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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