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
Senior Madison Vargas stepped up with two goals and six assists to help lift the attack on offense.
—
Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2026
By the time Game 6 rolled around, Minnesota was without star Anthony Edwards, sharpshooter Donte DiVincenzo and even Ayo Dosunmu, who had stepped up earlier in the series in the absence of the latter duo.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 2 May 2026
At the same time, the Iranian regime has stepped up its brutal crackdown on dissent.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Defensively, players big and small stepped up.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 2 May 2026
Reyes was the only one who stepped up.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 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
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
Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2026
By the time Game 6 rolled around, Minnesota was without star Anthony Edwards, sharpshooter Donte DiVincenzo and even Ayo Dosunmu, who had stepped up earlier in the series in the absence of the latter duo.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 2 May 2026
At the same time, the Iranian regime has stepped up its brutal crackdown on dissent.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Defensively, players big and small stepped up.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 2 May 2026
Reyes was the only one who stepped up.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped up
Verb
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In the ’90s, the blockbuster sales of two flea-and-tick medications, Frontline and Advantage, demonstrated untapped demand, and then intensified that demand by enabling new levels of indoor intimacy between dogs and people.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
-
Fear of breaking the law has intensified The reverberations of Florida’s six-week ban have been felt in doctors’ offices and emergency departments across the state.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The artworks are enhanced with portraits of the artists and brief statements about their art.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
1 May 2026
-
Bike activists in this city have, to our minds, successfully enhanced the lot of cyclists in Chicago and are fully entitled to keep pushing for more reasonable improvements.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Around Mira and her friends, my own insecurities were heightened.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
And the rapid spread in recent years has heightened security concerns across the country, particularly in the capital, where sensitive military and political sites are concentrated.—
Todd Symons,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
From there, the connection deepened quickly.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
-
Renewable energy The global oil crisis has only deepened the desire by many countries to transition to clean energy, which could be a boon for the sector.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Right-hander Roki Sasaki strengthened his case Saturday with a quality start, despite some hiccups, as the Dodgers fell 3-2 to the Cardinals, extending their losing streak to four games.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
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Amtrak is considering allowing people to store guns in lockboxes on most of its trains, which critics say would weaken security measures that instead should be strengthened in light of the shooting at last weekend's White House Correspondents' Association dinner.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Verb
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The two lawsuits were ultimately consolidated with Lively's federal suit into one case in New York federal court.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
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Last year, its three-person staff was consolidated under the Library Department, which left it without direct access to city leadership, and its executive director position was cut.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stepped up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20up. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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