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
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Recent Examples of stepping up
While on the podcast, Arkapaw reflected on how over the last five years, Coogler never questioned Arkapaw stepping up to shoot a blockbuster film, nor having shot on large format 70mm and IMAX film.
—
Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2026
Now as Rethage takes a step away from the diner, her family is stepping up and so are her neighbors, giving back through a donation jar, GoFundMe page and even a fundraiser at the bar Scarpaci's next week.
—Lauren Linder, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
The world’s two most populous countries are stepping up regulation of delivery platforms in a bid to curb damaging competitive practices.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Now, the president is stepping up immigration enforcement.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
Bennett has shown the knack for stepping up on the biggest stages.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Jan. 2026
Jose goes above and beyond to support others, whether by mentoring younger students, volunteering in school activities, or stepping up to help classmates in need.
—Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Before stepping up to assistant chief, Hennie was the captain of the Central Business Section, which includes Downtown and Mount Adams.
—Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Oct. 2025
With Netflix stepping up to the third-quarter earnings plate after the market close on Tuesday, Kpop characters Rumi, Mira and Zoey are expected to be MVPs.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2025
Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2026
Now as Rethage takes a step away from the diner, her family is stepping up and so are her neighbors, giving back through a donation jar, GoFundMe page and even a fundraiser at the bar Scarpaci's next week.
—Lauren Linder, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
The world’s two most populous countries are stepping up regulation of delivery platforms in a bid to curb damaging competitive practices.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
Now, the president is stepping up immigration enforcement.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
Bennett has shown the knack for stepping up on the biggest stages.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Jan. 2026
Jose goes above and beyond to support others, whether by mentoring younger students, volunteering in school activities, or stepping up to help classmates in need.
—Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Before stepping up to assistant chief, Hennie was the captain of the Central Business Section, which includes Downtown and Mount Adams.
—Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Oct. 2025
With Netflix stepping up to the third-quarter earnings plate after the market close on Tuesday, Kpop characters Rumi, Mira and Zoey are expected to be MVPs.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepping up
Verb
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And right here in Florida, intensifying disasters and disinformation combine to endanger our lives, damage our livelihoods, threaten our military communities and divide our citizens.—
Michael Chertoff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2026
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The Korean studio’s upcoming slate suggests its awards ambitions and international goals are only intensifying.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The song revolves slowly, casting loop against deepening loop, asking for the same careful quality of attention as William Basinski or Stars of the Lid.—
Sasha Geffen,
Pitchfork,
10 Mar. 2026
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Yet many of the old-timers and young tech workers who live here seem to have accepted the coming changes as an unavoidable reality of California’s deepening housing crisis.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Ultimately, the performance of the IS system is commendable, effectively mitigating shake and enhancing viewing stability.—
Matt Morris,
Space.com,
4 Mar. 2026
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Adele's take on the shade honors her red roots, the choice enhancing her natural features for a lit-from-within glow.—
Calin Van Paris,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The war is also heightening unease in Seoul about its alliance with the United States.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
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The war is also heightening unease in Seoul about its alliance with the United States.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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President Charles Schattenberg, who joined after years with a national PEO, has been instrumental in strengthening the operational backbone.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
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Mojtaba Khamenei, the former leader’s son and one of the most influential figures in the Iranian clerical establishment, has reportedly survived US and Israeli strikes against him, strengthening his hand.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stepping up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping%20up. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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