STEPPED UP Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

stepped up

verb

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

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 Both players stepped up with back-to-back buckets to stop the run. —

Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2026 Saudi Arabia stepped up direct engagement with Tehran in a bid to de-escalate tensions, according to several European officials. —

Arsalan Shahla, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026 Ceddanne Rafaela stepped up next as the Netherlands’ last hope and fell behind quickly 0-2 in the count. —

Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026 With cramps slowing down McDonald, John Brown IV stepped up by scoring and rebounding. —

Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026 Then Leighton Ozawa stepped up and buried her attempt, giving the Wildcats a 3-2 lead. —

Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026 And Pacific Ridge’s defense stepped up, holding its opponent to under 30 points for the third time this postseason. —

Breven Honda, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026 Dara Maleki, founder of The Pizza Press, stepped up last year to lead the chamber as its interim president and CEO just as the 130-year-old organization was on the cusp of shuttering. —

Victoria Le, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026 Shortly afterwards in the third inning Anthony hit a single up the middle off of former Red Sox ace Chris Sale, and Rafaela stepped up next at bat and hit an opposite field two-run home run to deep right center field. —

Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 27 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped up

Verb

The settlement discussions have intensified since a trial kicked off March 2 and a final agreement could be announced in the coming days, said the people, who asked not to be named discussing confidential matters.

— Josh Sisco, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
Public interest in the case intensified after the local press widely reported that the father of one of the suspects served as undersecretary for governance and compliance within Rio’s state social development and human rights department.

— Eléonore Hughes, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026