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
Kurt's key takeaways Apple Watch is stepping up in a big way.
—
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
With China stepping up military activity near the island, fears are rising that tensions could spiral into conflict, right on their doorstep.
—Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 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
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
With China stepping up military activity near the island, fears are rising that tensions could spiral into conflict, right on their doorstep.
—Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 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
-
Another storm called Opong is now intensifying in the Philippines in the aftermath of Ragasa and the typhoon season still has many months left.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Israel's military campaign in Gaza has only shown signs of intensifying over recent months, and efforts to negotiate a peace appear all but stalled.—
Shannon K. Kingston,
ABC News,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Far from descending into deepening partisan divisions, Taiwan may be moving toward a new political equilibrium.—
PHILIP H. GORDON,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Sep. 2025
-
How the Grammy winner is deepening his Nashville connection.—
Sandy Mazza,
Nashville Tennessean,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Now, the multi-billion-dollar brand is bringing its signature silhouette-enhancing styles into the world of performance and women’s sports.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
24 Sep. 2025
-
For one thing, food packages nutrition with fats, enhancing absorption.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Our ability to love is expanding and heightening.—
Lisa Stardust,
Refinery29,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The Hill’s Niall Stanage writes that the shocking killing of Kirk is heightening fears over the nation’s path.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This movement combines adductor strengthening on one side with stretching on the other.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Humberto has become a hurricane northeast of the northern Leeward Islands and is forecast to continue strengthening.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stepping up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping%20up. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share