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 In his policy address, Lee has stepped up efforts to boost birth rates. — ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026 When Bruno Fernandes stepped up to the penalty spot on Sunday afternoon, all eyes were at first on him. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 The Marlins had reclaimed lead when Jensen stepped up in the fifth, again with Isbel on base with another hit. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026 Hedrick was pleased with the way his defense stepped up and kept Palos Verdes out of the end zone in the second half. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 Another man stepped up with the sheriff to try and quell concerns. — Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026 Fulton’s defense stepped up with Derra Reth getting the game’s first interception. — Felipe Gamino, Daily News, 22 Aug. 2026 Both sides have stepped up their air campaigns as the front lines remain largely static, locked in a slow-moving, deadly stalemate. — Kosta Gak, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 That came after countries including France and Germany stepped up efforts to attract students disillusioned with the prospect of a US education. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped up

Verb

The alert marked the first time Riyadh had received such a warning since fighting in Yemen intensified in July.

— Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2026
Just days before Ukrainian Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027 began, Russian air strikes intensified on the city of Kyiv.

— Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of intensified

Verb

Enduring principles can be enhanced by the essential replenishment of ideas — notions that might seem to contradict but that also sure can live in harmony.

— Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 19 Sep. 2026
The ambience is enhanced by keeping open the ark of the Torah, the usually closed chamber at the front of the synagogue that protects the scrolls of scripture.

— Reuven Kimelman, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of enhanced

Verb

Cash-rich mega-cap tech firms remain relatively insulated, whereas data centers, AI infrastructure projects, and early-stage startups that rely heavily on continuous external funding face significantly heightened financial strain.

— , CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
Speculation over possible changes to this year’s Qatar and Abu Dhabi races heightened this week as Formula 2, which is due to support F1 in both venues, added an extra race to its schedule next week in Azerbaijan.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of heightened

Verb

Sunday's results have deepened his problems, focusing attention even more closely on his ability to deliver reforms while also keeping the governing coalition and his own party together.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026
Neighbors were getting them too The mystery deepened when Scarpella learned several neighbors on his block were receiving similar packages.

— Joshua Sidorowicz, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of deepened

Verb

But clear weather and relatively light winds aided air tankers, which dropped water on hot spots throughout Thursday, while hand crews and bulldozers strengthened fire lines around the fire.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Those boundaries have only strengthened the mother-daughter duo’s connection, according to Coco.

— Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of strengthened

Verb

While that’s happening, our industry is being consolidated into these corporate monoliths that are run by people like Larry Ellison, and Larry Ellison is a radical conservative idealogue.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
The stock ran up to $82 earlier this year, pulled back, consolidated, and has now crept back up to that same level.

— Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 10 Sep. 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 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of stepped up

verb

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