STEPPED UP Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

stepped up

verb

Definition of stepped up

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

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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 Russia has stepped up attacks ‌on the capital in recent weeks. — Reuters, NBC news, 11 July 2026 Contributor | Getty Images News | Getty Images Ukraine has stepped up its attacks on Russian fuel tankers in the Sea of Azov, seeking to disrupt supplies to occupied Crimea at a time when drone strikes have triggered nationwide gasoline shortages. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 July 2026 In the absence of the hit parades the Red Sox have put on almost daily lately, the Boston bullpen stepped up. — Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026 Mbappé stepped up in the 70th minute and duly converted for his seventh goal of the tournament – overtaking Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race due to his assist total. — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 4 July 2026 Egypt had lost their past four penalty shootouts before Salah and his team-mates stepped up to face substitute goalkeeper Mat Ryan. — Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 4 July 2026 Top England scorer Harry Kane stepped up with two decisive goals that helped his team advance. — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026 The National Association of Secretaries of State, which has long been a place for secretaries to discuss election security threats, has stepped up its efforts this year, said spokesman John Milhofer. — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 28 June 2026 Ukraine has stepped up its long-range aerial attacks on Russian military industries and energy facilities, aiming to cut Moscow’s revenue for the war and make Russians feel the consequences of the invasion, now in its fifth year. — ABC News, 27 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped up

Verb

Tensions between the two tech companies have strained their relationship, as the race to develop AI products has intensified competition for talent and proprietary technology.

— Stephen Nellis, USA Today, 11 July 2026
Earlier, at least 17 people were killed in the southern Philippines, mostly due to landslides that were set off by seasonal monsoon rains that Bavi intensified before the typhoon blew away toward Taiwan, Philippine officials said Saturday.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of intensified

Verb

Those risks are heightened in the metropolitan area, given state laws in Kansas and Missouri surrounding local agencies’ abilities to assist with immigration enforcement.

— Sofi Zeman July 8, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026
Security around the prison has been heightened with additional army troops and armed tanks also being deployed.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 July 2026

Definition of heightened

Verb

The war that followed October 7 deepened the rupture, with several Entebbe veterans joining the weekly protests calling on Netanyahu to end the fighting and strike a deal to bring the hostages home.

— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 13 July 2026
His assertive foreign policy made Qatar a key mediator from Darfur to Gaza, while backing Islamists and hosting Taliban talks deepened rifts with neighbors and Western partners.

— Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026

Definition of deepened

Verb

Away from social media, the roommates have settled into simple traditions that have only strengthened their friendship.

— Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
Flag football’s prolific growth has strengthened the sport at every amateur level from peewees to the Olympics and led to the NFL’s $32 million commitment for men’s and women’s professional flag leagues to debut next year.

— Tim Graham, New York Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of strengthened

Verb

This year, Mecklenburg County and the club consolidated the remaining issues into a single remediation project.

— Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026
The change consolidated that job with another clerk’s office, which Republican supporters said would make the local judicial system more efficient.

— Safiyah Riddle, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026

Definition of consolidated

Browse Nearby Words

stepped out

stepped up

steppes

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“Stepped up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20up. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of stepped up

verb

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