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
Gabby Vigeant stepped up with 18 kills and seven aces, while Abby Baker chipped in with five aces as Newburyport (8-3) defeated Bishop Fenwick, 3-1.
—
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Alexander Romanov also stepped up in a big way last year, and has room to grow in the top four.
—The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Tensions have risen since Taiwan’s independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party took power in 2016, and the PLA has stepped up military activity around the island.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
In the face of chaos, neighbors stepped up.
—April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Earlier this year, the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, stepped up immigration enforcement, deploying police officers to dozens of maternity wards in the country.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
The guitarist from Lee’s song stepped up to perform her own original tune.
—Jane Bua, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Kaytranada, perennially fashion’s favorite DJ for an after party, stepped up to the decks later in the night.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2025
India, now the world’s fourth-largest economy, has not only stepped up but has positioned itself as a template for climate leadership from the Global South, providing another compelling example of contextual ESG integration.
—Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Alexander Romanov also stepped up in a big way last year, and has room to grow in the top four.
—The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Tensions have risen since Taiwan’s independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party took power in 2016, and the PLA has stepped up military activity around the island.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
In the face of chaos, neighbors stepped up.
—April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Earlier this year, the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, stepped up immigration enforcement, deploying police officers to dozens of maternity wards in the country.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
The guitarist from Lee’s song stepped up to perform her own original tune.
—Jane Bua, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Kaytranada, perennially fashion’s favorite DJ for an after party, stepped up to the decks later in the night.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2025
India, now the world’s fourth-largest economy, has not only stepped up but has positioned itself as a template for climate leadership from the Global South, providing another compelling example of contextual ESG integration.
—Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped up
Verb
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China's official gauge for manufacturing activity showed a smaller-than-expected contraction in September as Beijing intensified its efforts aimed at curbing industrial overcapacity amid sluggish domestic demand and global trade disruptions.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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Every stage leading up to Election Day will likely be shaped by ongoing legal battles, redistricting disputes and intensified scrutiny of political messaging.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Rainfall Trillions upon trillions of gallons of water fell as rain, enhanced by a rain event across the mountains even before Helene made landfall.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The cast-iron is further enhanced with an enamel coating that not only looks attractive, but also prevents food from sticking to the bottom.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Privacy advocates have expressed concern that the company’s cameras and accompanying Neighbors app have heightened the risk of racial profiling and turned residents into informants, with few guardrails around how law enforcement can use the material.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
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Common symptoms include significant weight loss, feelings of fatigue and heightened vulnerability to infections, as well as frequent urination and excessive thirst.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Solving housing crisis on Earth The current housing crisis is deepened by conventional construction’s inability to meet soaring demand due to its high cost and slow pace.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Sep. 2025
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Gun violence in Missouri The fatal shooting has deepened ongoing fractures in Missouri over the state’s approach to gun violence.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile in the Pacific, Hurricane Narda has strengthened, but remains south of Baja, California.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
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Fortune’s reporting shows top executives probe for authenticity, motivation, and self-awareness—areas strengthened by Welch’s reframing advice—not weakened by exit signals or defensive answers.—
Ashley Lutz,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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By Friday afternoon, three courtrooms had been consolidated into one.—
Julia Coin,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Sep. 2025
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Once leaf pick-up is in full swing, the map will be updated to indicate areas where leaf collection is in progress, areas up next for leaf collection and areas where leaf piles are still being consolidated for pick-up.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stepped up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20up. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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