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
Ziaire Williams stepped up off the bench with nine points of his own, and despite six turnovers that led to nine Boston points, the Nets still entered the fourth holding a slim 81-78 lead.
—
C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
A lot of guys stepped up and made big plays tonight.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
Rocco Rios Novo, who stepped up in Miami’s playoff run, signed a permanent deal with the club after being on loan from Argentine club Lanus last season.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
On the heels of her buzzy appearances at her mother's halftime show performance and Renaissance World Tour, Blue Ivy stepped up another level for the 2025 Cowboy Carter Tour.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Several Red Wings stepped up to power Detroit’s run through December, with Andrew Copp, James van Riemsdyk and Simon Edvinsson all high on that list.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Local generosity and continued need Community groups and businesses have stepped up as well.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025
Promotions for the app have been stepped up during the blackout and the NFL, a partner with ESPN in a pending deal for NFL Media assets, has also pointed out the ESPN app option for YouTube TV customers.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
Santa Fe Christian Volleyball Only a freshman, Johnson stepped up with 19 kills to lead Santa Fe Christian to a 25-12, 25-13, 25-19 sweep over Patrick Henry to claim the section Division 2 championship.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025
C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
A lot of guys stepped up and made big plays tonight.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
Rocco Rios Novo, who stepped up in Miami’s playoff run, signed a permanent deal with the club after being on loan from Argentine club Lanus last season.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
On the heels of her buzzy appearances at her mother's halftime show performance and Renaissance World Tour, Blue Ivy stepped up another level for the 2025 Cowboy Carter Tour.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Several Red Wings stepped up to power Detroit’s run through December, with Andrew Copp, James van Riemsdyk and Simon Edvinsson all high on that list.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Local generosity and continued need Community groups and businesses have stepped up as well.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025
Promotions for the app have been stepped up during the blackout and the NFL, a partner with ESPN in a pending deal for NFL Media assets, has also pointed out the ESPN app option for YouTube TV customers.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
Santa Fe Christian Volleyball Only a freshman, Johnson stepped up with 19 kills to lead Santa Fe Christian to a 25-12, 25-13, 25-19 sweep over Patrick Henry to claim the section Division 2 championship.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped up
Verb
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Pockets of protests erupting across Iran over the past week have intensified pressure on a dysfunctional government struggling to manage a spiraling economic crisis.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The Justice Department has intensified efforts to investigate fraud in the state after a social media video shared by YouTuber Nick Shirley went viral right before New Year's Day.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Of course, the whole shebang was greatly enhanced by the venue itself, which delivered its mind-blowing mix of colorful, moving visuals across and around its unbelievable vivid and clear 16K resolution wraparound LED screen that dominates the interior of this 366-foot-fall building.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
25 Jan. 2026
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Safar was initially charged as a juvenile before the case against him was enhanced in September.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Emmer has been a staunch opponent of Walz for some time, whose antagonism for the governor heightened once Walz became the vice presidential running mate to former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Exercise heightened caution during this period.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The trajectory is not altered; instead, existing advancements are deepened and extended.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The fatal shooting sparked demonstrations nationwide and has deepened fissures between federal and state officials.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The dialogue between past and present will be strengthened further with the opening of the Jewish Academy in the Westend district.—
CNT Editors,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
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When Mars and Venus are both in cazimi — activated by the sun in Capricorn — relationships may undergo a reset where intentions are clarified and commitments are either strengthened or redefined.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Long before arriving in the Netherlands, Mellerio had already consolidated its position as a reference jeweler for royalty.—
Marta Martínez Tato,
Vanity Fair,
25 Jan. 2026
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The election had to be conducted within 140 days — or up to 200 days if consolidated with another election.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stepped up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20up. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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