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 The Rays led the Rockies 8-7 Tuesday night when Junior Caminero stepped up to bat in the top of the 11th inning. — Abby Disalvo, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026 Szoboszlai is the firm favourite to be confirmed as Van Dijk’s deputy and, in the absence of their Dutch talisman, the former RB Leipzig midfielder has stepped up impressively during the tour of the United States. — James Pearce, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 One swing can change that and our guys have really stepped up. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026 In recent years, Indonesia has stepped up its efforts to recover cultural artifacts that were collected, stolen and trafficked during its colonial-era. — News Desk, Artforum, 24 July 2026 Energetic Pursuit On a frigid, sunny morning in December 2025, Picard stepped up to a podium wearing a sweater embroidered with a squiggly cartoon of a mitochondrion. — Rachel Nuwer, Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped up

Verb

Houthis’ allies The Houthis are backed by Iran, which began increasing its aid to the group in 2014 as the civil war escalated and as its rivalry with Saudi Arabia intensified.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Violence has intensified across several regions as criminal organizations and guerrilla groups have expanded their territorial influence over the past several years.

— Armando Regil Velasco, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of intensified

Verb

While every other Hughes film is grounded in ordinary everyday experiences only slightly heightened for comedic effect, Weird Science stands apart as his big cartoonish swing at a high concept sci-fi comedy.

— Al Shipley, SPIN, 4 Aug. 2026
El Confidencial said the concern was heightened by Ceuta’s proximity to Fnideq, also known as Castillejos, a Moroccan border town that has figured in previous jihadist recruitment investigations.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of heightened

Verb

At dinnertime, Thune gathered all the Republican senators for a meeting as the standoff deepened at the Capitol.

— Lisa Mascaro, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
The threats came amid rampant speculation and scrutiny of the investigation, deepened in part by uncertainty surrounding Wells’ final hours, distrust of law enforcement and the state’s long history of racist violence.

— Josh Kelety, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of deepened

Verb

These same advantages have strengthened Washington’s ability to shape global legal norms.

— Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026
In 2023, Anduril expanded into rocket propulsion with the acquisition of Adranos and strengthened its aircraft capabilities by acquiring Blue Force Technologies, whose designs became the basis for the Fury autonomous fighter aircraft.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of strengthened

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 11 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of stepped up

verb

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