Synonyms of stepped up

stepped up

verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intensified
• enhanced
• heightened
• deepened
• strengthened
• consolidated
• reinforced
• amped (up)
• beefed (up)
• pointed (up)
• accentuated
• expanded
• amplified
• broadened
• boosted
• sharpened
• extended
• redoubled
• emphasized
• magnified
• enforced
• augmented
• lengthened
• accelerated
• supplemented
• hastened
• enlarged
• restrengthened
• maximized
• quickened
• stressed
• enlivened
• jazzed (up)
• exacerbated
• aggravated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reduced
• decreased
• moderated
• diminished
• weakened
• tapered (off)
• abated
• subdued
• lessened
• toned (down)
• subsided
• let up (on)
• receded
• waned
• dwindled
• alleviated
• lightened
• eased

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stepped up

In the absence of so many senior stars in the wake of the World Cup, Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez have stepped up, helping to set the standards for the youngsters who have been included on this pre-season tour to the United States. — James Pearce, New York Times, 25 July 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

Mbappé stepped up in the 70th minute and duly converted for his seventh goal of the tournament – overtaking Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race due to his assist total. — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Top England scorer Harry Kane stepped up with two decisive goals that helped his team advance. — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026