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
This week, Jennifer Lopez stepped up her style game for the New York City premiere of her new Netflix romantic comedy Office Romance, and Kerry Washington sparkled in gold at the 2026 Gotham TV Awards — and that's just the beginning.
—
Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
In Hong Kong, police stepped up security Thursday to prevent any commemoration at or near a park where a massive candlelight vigil lit up the night every year until a clampdown following major anti-government protests in 2019.
—ABC News, 4 June 2026
It should be pointed out that Machado has stepped up to take plenty of blame in 2026.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2026
In the bottom half of the inning, Gasparino stepped up to the plate, with the bases empty this time, and drilled an opposite-field home run to take a 3-2 lead.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 31 May 2026
Now, Fatu is feuding with Reigns on Raw, and Gunther has immediately stepped up as a serious threat to Rhodes’ WWE title.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
The person sitting between Sajani and Suvali, Reshma, stepped up to be Sasmita.
—Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
Then, late in the year, Fitzpatrick was injured and Trader stepped up to give that role a shot.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2026
Ukraine has stepped up longer-range drone attacks in recent weeks.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
In Hong Kong, police stepped up security Thursday to prevent any commemoration at or near a park where a massive candlelight vigil lit up the night every year until a clampdown following major anti-government protests in 2019.
—ABC News, 4 June 2026
It should be pointed out that Machado has stepped up to take plenty of blame in 2026.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2026
In the bottom half of the inning, Gasparino stepped up to the plate, with the bases empty this time, and drilled an opposite-field home run to take a 3-2 lead.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 31 May 2026
Now, Fatu is feuding with Reigns on Raw, and Gunther has immediately stepped up as a serious threat to Rhodes’ WWE title.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
The person sitting between Sajani and Suvali, Reshma, stepped up to be Sasmita.
—Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
Then, late in the year, Fitzpatrick was injured and Trader stepped up to give that role a shot.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2026
Ukraine has stepped up longer-range drone attacks in recent weeks.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped up
Verb
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But inconsistencies between location data and statements Brian Hooker made to investigators have intensified scrutiny on the circumstances surrounding her disappearance, a US official familiar with the criminal investigation told CNN.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
6 June 2026
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The United States has also intensified pressure on Iran by enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports, citing Tehran’s threats to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor for global oil and natural gas exports.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2026
Verb
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What Doremus has done though, is to make his own thing with a similar concept, a film greatly enhanced by the lilting presence of Clarke, who is wonderful in this role(s), showing us the glory of fate, and its price.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
5 June 2026
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The tank has been enhanced as part of a beautification of the island.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2026
Verb
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Beijing is widely seen to be wary of that program, which has traditionally heightened American focus on the region and risks instability that could impact China, which shares a border with North Korea.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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The deadly attack comes as tensions between Palestinians and Israeli settlers have heightened after Israeli troops shot at a car in the West Bank over the weekend, killing a 7-month-old baby.—
Robert Blankenship,
The Washington Examiner,
7 June 2026
Verb
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The company has also deepened ties with major technology players including Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, even as competition intensifies across the AI industry.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 June 2026
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The rampage, blamed on a man from the Arab town of Taybeh, deepened tensions after settler violence and a Palestinian baby’s killing in the West Bank.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Verb
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The ruling strengthened the regional government’s position in a dispute that has fueled weeks of protests ahead of next month’s assembly elections.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
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The network has been expanded, strengthened, and stress-tested so police, fire, EMS, and federal agencies can communicate if an emergency occurs.—
Edward F. Davis,
Boston Herald,
7 June 2026
Verb
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What had been a 10-point lead on Election Night for Pratt consolidated to seven points on Wednesday, six on Thursday and now three by the weekend as more votes are counted.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2026
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The Forest Service has denied that the pending closures are intended to force workers to quit and has suggested that employees in the facilities being evaluated for shut down would be consolidated into one location in Colorado.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stepped up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20up. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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