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
With two outs, Rushing stepped up to the plate, fell behind in the count 0-2 and reset.
—
Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
This week, Jennifer Lopez stepped up her style game for the New York City premiere of her new Netflix romantic comedy Office Romance, and Kerry Washington sparkled in gold at the 2026 Gotham TV Awards — and that's just the beginning.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
In Hong Kong, police stepped up security Thursday to prevent any commemoration at or near a park where a massive candlelight vigil lit up the night every year until a clampdown following major anti-government protests in 2019.
—ABC News, 4 June 2026
It should be pointed out that Machado has stepped up to take plenty of blame in 2026.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 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
Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
This week, Jennifer Lopez stepped up her style game for the New York City premiere of her new Netflix romantic comedy Office Romance, and Kerry Washington sparkled in gold at the 2026 Gotham TV Awards — and that's just the beginning.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
In Hong Kong, police stepped up security Thursday to prevent any commemoration at or near a park where a massive candlelight vigil lit up the night every year until a clampdown following major anti-government protests in 2019.
—ABC News, 4 June 2026
It should be pointed out that Machado has stepped up to take plenty of blame in 2026.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped up
Verb
-
Calls for his resignation intensified last month, with more than 100 Labour lawmakers publicly urging him to step aside or set out a timetable for his departure.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
21 June 2026
-
However, atmospheric drag, intensified by recent solar activity, is pulling it dangerously close to Earth, threatening its imminent burn-up.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
Both opted for rosy lips with a glossy finish—so chic—and a radiant complexion, enhanced by touches of peach blush.—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
20 June 2026
-
Decorative limestone and sandstone moldings adorned the building’s facades, while columns made from the same materials enhanced its splendor.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Exercise heightened caution during this period.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
-
Venice has always been a magnet for dreamers and creatives, but in the past few years, tensions have heightened as residents grapple with the effects of the sizable unhoused population in the area.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
My conscious connection to God has deepened.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 June 2026
-
In the years following 2020, cities nationwide experienced alarming increases in homicides, shootings and other crime as the COVID-19 pandemic upended daily life, destabilized local economies and deepened distrust in public institutions.—
Diane Goldstein,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
That’s because a relationship isn’t strengthened by self-erasure.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
Italy’s triumph over Czechoslovakia in the 1934 final which strengthened the regime of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, for example.—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Some of the institutions will be consolidated with others nearby.—
Sarah Perkel,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
After Biden conceded to the critics who grew louder after the debate, Vice President Kamala Harris quickly consolidated the party elite’s support, including an endorsement from the then-president.—
Joseph Konig,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stepped up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20up. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
