stepping up

verb

present participle of step up
as in intensifying
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 stepping up At a moment when Washington is retreating from its responsibilities, New York is stepping up for vulnerable immigrant children. — Meena Shah, New York Daily News, 23 Aug. 2026 Ethiopia, South Africa, Morocco and Nigeria have been stepping up efforts to localize manufacturing of equipment for solar power, from module assembly to more advanced manufacturing, according to industry experts. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026 As parts of Puerto Rico face a record-breaking drought and no running water, a South Florida company is stepping up to offer help by sending machines capable of turning air into water. — Manuel Bojorquez, CBS News, 8 Aug. 2026 Second-year edge rusher Collin Oliver showed promise with strong plays, stepping up in Micah Parsons' absence. — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Cities across the Southwest are stepping up conservation efforts amid the growing crisis facing a key Colorado River reservoir straddling the Utah-Arizona border. — Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 26 July 2026 Maresca arrives at a time when City’s pre-season preparations are stepping up, and with Madrid trying to sign Rodri. — Sam Lee, New York Times, 25 July 2026 Already, countries are stepping up inspections for test-takers. — John Liu, CNN Money, 27 June 2026 Officers are stepping up patrols in the area during the nighttime hours, police said. — Jason Green, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepping up
  1. intensifying
  2. deepening
  3. enhancing
  4. heightening
  5. strengthening
Verb
  • Summary Major League Baseball's push for a salary cap is intensifying, fueled by recent record-breaking franchise sales.
    — Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Getting ahead in the burgeoning industry could also boost China’s standing in the intensifying competition with the US on artificial intelligence and advanced technology.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of intensifying
Verb
  • Hair growth or voice deepening that appears suddenly or progresses rapidly may warrant prompt medical attention.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Google reportedly plans to move its smartphone supply chain outside of China by next year, the latest sign of a deepening tech decoupling as tensions mount between Washington and Beijing.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of deepening
Verb
  • The stakes are high, with victory on the track bringing in prize money and enhancing the team’s attractiveness to sponsors like Petronas and Microsoft.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Louisiana became the first to pass a film tax incentive, enhancing it in 2002; New Mexico and Georgia followed with their own programs.
    — Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of enhancing
Verb
  • The remarks drew activist groups to rally outside WNBA games, heightening tensions inside arenas, and became grist for MAGA influencers such as competitive swimmer turned political activist Riley Gaines.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Gradually, the story’s impact started to affect Eckert, with every passing day heightening the scrutiny.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of heightening
Verb
  • Auction houses are strengthening authentication through specialist research and archives, but online sales remain a particular risk.
    — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Officials will discuss strengthening Iran-Iraq relations, border security, economic cooperation and counterterrorism, among other topics, the broadcaster IRIB reported.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of strengthening

Browse Nearby Words

stepping out
stepping up
steps
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Cite this Entry

“Stepping up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping%20up. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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