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
Smith, who had a single and walk in the victory, stepped up with a running catch in deep center to end the sixth inning.
—
Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
China hasn't ruled out the use of force and has stepped up its military exercises around Taiwan, sending warships and fighter jets closer toward the island and steadily poaching Taiwan's few remaining diplomatic allies.
—Huizhong Wu, Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026
But Leo stepped up his criticism starting on Palm Sunday.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Bateman stepped up in his place, ultimately forming an offshoot group.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 10 Apr. 2026
On Day 1 of the truce, and in the days since, Israel has stepped up attacks against Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy, in Lebanon, outraging Iran and leading to accusations the terms had been breached.
—Justin Fishel, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
During a slog of an away game at Penn State in which Dent went scoreless, Perry stepped up with a career-high 30 points to lift UCLA to victory.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
The loss isn’t solely on either star, but neither stepped up when the Huskies desperately needed someone to take over and make plays.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
Priscilla Pena was one of the first people who stepped up to have her feet washed outside the facility on Thursday.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
China hasn't ruled out the use of force and has stepped up its military exercises around Taiwan, sending warships and fighter jets closer toward the island and steadily poaching Taiwan's few remaining diplomatic allies.
—Huizhong Wu, Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026
But Leo stepped up his criticism starting on Palm Sunday.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Bateman stepped up in his place, ultimately forming an offshoot group.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 10 Apr. 2026
On Day 1 of the truce, and in the days since, Israel has stepped up attacks against Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy, in Lebanon, outraging Iran and leading to accusations the terms had been breached.
—Justin Fishel, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
During a slog of an away game at Penn State in which Dent went scoreless, Perry stepped up with a career-high 30 points to lift UCLA to victory.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
The loss isn’t solely on either star, but neither stepped up when the Huskies desperately needed someone to take over and make plays.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
Priscilla Pena was one of the first people who stepped up to have her feet washed outside the facility on Thursday.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped up
Verb
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As unmanned systems have become increasingly central to modern ground warfare, militaries and defense researchers have intensified efforts to develop wireless charging and in-flight power delivery technologies.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, the federal government’s crackdown on immigration and state limits on how many hours seasonal foreign workers with H2A visas can work have intensified agricultural labor uncertainty.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The series’ earnestly naïve sound design (horses neighing, cars revving) only enhanced my appreciation of Joudrey’s sophisticated storytelling.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The contract provides raises and enhanced health benefits, among other things.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The stakes of all those efforts will be heightened during the approaching midterm elections.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, Riley’s anxiety was heightened when her garden gate was recently damaged by someone.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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By 1998, as the family drama deepened, the absence of the mother character became conspicuous.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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The shooting ambush deepened his sympathies for them.—
Gary Fields,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In 2025, state legislators strengthened that law by adding additional protections.—
Karen Brown,
NPR,
17 Apr. 2026
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Her approach reflects a belief that leadership is strengthened through curiosity, adaptability and persistence.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
By the time many equity operators were able to open their doors, much of the market had already matured and consolidated.—
Sonya M. Harper,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
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Both suits allege the private equity firm American Industrial Partners has illegally consolidated a previously robust market of smaller, independent fire engine manufacturers to eliminate competition for the critical, lifesaving vehicles and their parts.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stepped up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20up. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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