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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stepped up
Just like many locals have pitched in to make the PB Arts Center a creative, usable hub, businesses across Pacific Beach have stepped up for the gala as well.
—
Madison Beveridge, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
In the bottom half of the inning, Gasparino stepped up to the plate, with the bases empty this time, and drilled an opposite-field home run to take a 3-2 lead.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 31 May 2026
Now, Fatu is feuding with Reigns on Raw, and Gunther has immediately stepped up as a serious threat to Rhodes’ WWE title.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
The person sitting between Sajani and Suvali, Reshma, stepped up to be Sasmita.
—Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
Then, late in the year, Fitzpatrick was injured and Trader stepped up to give that role a shot.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2026
Ukraine has stepped up longer-range drone attacks in recent weeks.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
Rascoff, who co-founded the real estate technology company Zillow, stepped up after almost a year on Match Group’s board to become its CEO in February 2025.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 22 May 2026
Since 2022, the WSL has really stepped up its game in this regard.
—Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Madison Beveridge, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
In the bottom half of the inning, Gasparino stepped up to the plate, with the bases empty this time, and drilled an opposite-field home run to take a 3-2 lead.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 31 May 2026
Now, Fatu is feuding with Reigns on Raw, and Gunther has immediately stepped up as a serious threat to Rhodes’ WWE title.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
The person sitting between Sajani and Suvali, Reshma, stepped up to be Sasmita.
—Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
Then, late in the year, Fitzpatrick was injured and Trader stepped up to give that role a shot.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2026
Ukraine has stepped up longer-range drone attacks in recent weeks.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
Rascoff, who co-founded the real estate technology company Zillow, stepped up after almost a year on Match Group’s board to become its CEO in February 2025.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 22 May 2026
Since 2022, the WSL has really stepped up its game in this regard.
—Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped up
Verb
-
Clashes intensified this weekend as police with riot shields and officers on horseback pushed back demonstrators, some of whom tore down barricades, hurled objects and set tires ablaze outside the 1,000-bed facility.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
At the same time, recovery from the Palisades and Eaton fires, which destroyed more than 16,000 structures, has further intensified frustrations around rebuilding, insurance costs and the city government’s response to crises.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Upgraded features include enhanced on-and-off loading, including the ability for families to roll strollers directly into the glass cabin with ease.—
Carly Caramanna,
Travel + Leisure,
29 May 2026
-
The study examined 518 manager-subordinate relationships and found that this leadership approach enhanced both employee thriving and performance through stronger positive job attitudes.—
Mary Hemphill,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The dangers faced by health workers have been heightened by anger among residents over the stringent medical protocols for handling the victims’ bodies, which clash with local burial rites.—
Justin Kabumba,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
The dangers faced by health workers have been heightened by anger among residents over the stringent medical protocols for handling the victims' bodies, which clash with local burial rites.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Global economic outlook worsens over Iran war The US and Iran appeared still willing to reach a peace deal despite American strikes and Tehran’s threats of reprisals — but the global economic fallout from the conflict deepened.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 May 2026
-
Tensions deepened Thursday in Lebanon as Israel conducted an airstrike on a southern suburb of the capital, Beirut, and other strikes in the southern coastal city of Tyre.—
Matthew Lee,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
This would, among other things, give a new direction to the relationship with the United States, creating new opportunities that benefit Colombia…Under our administration, the relationship with the United States would be strengthened and revitalized.—
Armando Regil Velasco,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
-
Twenty-five years later, their creative synergy has only strengthened.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
And the housing industry has slowly consolidated as the market slumps.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
-
Hilton, on the other hand, has consolidated a majority of the Republican vote with 59% to Bianco’s 29%.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stepped up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20up. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
