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
Relevance
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
Richardson missed the Colts’ 31-27 victory over the Cardinals, with third-string quarterback Riley Leonard stepping up to the back-up position in his absence.
—
Ben Morse, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Lauren goes out of her way to support others, whether planning events, encouraging her peers or stepping up to help when needed.
—Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 13 Oct. 2025
At the time, Saunders praised Kelce for stepping up during the big moment.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Thanks to agents stepping up, the truth is coming out.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Kurt's key takeaways Apple Watch is stepping up in a big way.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Doak joined from Celtic as a 16-year-old and started well for the U18s before stepping up to the U21s and also impressing.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Across the country, states and local communities are stepping up, forming coalitions and launching plans to address their specific risks.
—Karen Cohn, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2025
Ben Morse, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Lauren goes out of her way to support others, whether planning events, encouraging her peers or stepping up to help when needed.
—Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 13 Oct. 2025
At the time, Saunders praised Kelce for stepping up during the big moment.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Thanks to agents stepping up, the truth is coming out.
—Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Kurt's key takeaways Apple Watch is stepping up in a big way.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Doak joined from Celtic as a 16-year-old and started well for the U18s before stepping up to the U21s and also impressing.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Across the country, states and local communities are stepping up, forming coalitions and launching plans to address their specific risks.
—Karen Cohn, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepping up
Verb
-
The dispute underscores an intensifying divide within the Democratic Party between establishment forces aligned with major donors and progressives who say those same networks are shutting out grassroots women candidates.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Amid the ongoing boom in resorts and new residences, the wave of European design firm openings is intensifying.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The protests also highlight deepening tensions between Portland officials and the federal government over immigration enforcement and the presence of federal forces in American cities.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Israel remains fully and unequivocally committed to the Abraham Accords, to expanding the circle of peace, deepening our partnerships, and ensuring that the promise of stability, prosperity, and coexistence becomes the enduring legacy of our generation.—
Yossi Shelley,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But beyond 60 mg/L, uptake surged sharply, suggesting multilayer adsorption, where molecules stack on top of each other, enhancing the total adsorption.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Competitive runners emphasized the value of performance-enhancing features—such as carbon plates—but stressed that these should not come at the expense of comfort.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Although regulation is heightening visibility needs, roughly a quarter (23 percent) of executives said regulatory uncertainty is holding them back.—
Sarah Jones,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Both sides are signaling little willingness to compromise, heightening the risk of military miscalculation.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The company’s 100 or so coaches primarily offer services within the romantic relationship context, from relationship strengthening to help for those looking to find a partner.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
18 Oct. 2025
-
If a player had a weak hamstring, a strengthening programme would be put in place; the same can and should apply to the pelvic floor.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stepping up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping%20up. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share