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
Every kid grows up dreaming of playing on their hometown team in a big playoff game, stepping up in the most crucial of moments.
—
Staff Report, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026
The Cubs rotation keeps stepping up, though.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
The American public is dismayed and frustrated that Congress is not stepping up to protect our nation against the extreme tyranny of this administration.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
The grueling reality of a playoff series without the high-scoring duo of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, so far, has left the Lakers needing every extra inch, players up and down the roster stepping up in their absence.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
The 40-year-old initially joined as an assistant coach with the under-21s before stepping up to be their head coach after the departure of Filipe Coelho to join Rosenior’s Strasbourg staff last summer.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Local churches and volunteers are stepping up to support those who've lost everything or have been forced out of their homes.
—Nakell Williams, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Governments are stepping up contingency measures.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Atlanta police and law enforcement in the surrounding counties are stepping up their actions against teen takeovers ahead of reports of another event this weekend.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Staff Report, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026
The Cubs rotation keeps stepping up, though.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
The American public is dismayed and frustrated that Congress is not stepping up to protect our nation against the extreme tyranny of this administration.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
The grueling reality of a playoff series without the high-scoring duo of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, so far, has left the Lakers needing every extra inch, players up and down the roster stepping up in their absence.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
The 40-year-old initially joined as an assistant coach with the under-21s before stepping up to be their head coach after the departure of Filipe Coelho to join Rosenior’s Strasbourg staff last summer.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Local churches and volunteers are stepping up to support those who've lost everything or have been forced out of their homes.
—Nakell Williams, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Governments are stepping up contingency measures.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Atlanta police and law enforcement in the surrounding counties are stepping up their actions against teen takeovers ahead of reports of another event this weekend.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepping up
Verb
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These pressures are only intensifying as the AI boom moves from software into physical infrastructure, and demand for computing capacity grows exponentially.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
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Ken Griffin and Zohran Mamdani's latest feud is intensifying after the billionaire said NYC's mayor put him in harm's way for including his penthouse in a video last month to promote his newest tax initiative.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Verb
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These spillover effects are deepening an arc of instability stretching from Europe to the Middle East, from Africa to Asia.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
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While announcing Jacobson’s hiring, Stagwell said her responsibilities will include expanding ReachTV’s footprint and deepening its content partnerships.—
Sportico Staff,
Sportico.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Boys uncover evidence that Vought has been covertly administering the performance-enhancing chemical mixture called Compound V to newborns to manufacture Supes.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
5 May 2026
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It can even be grown in containers, enhancing beauty without taking up too much space.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, his ex-wife—played by Field—becomes increasingly self-reliant, heightening the strain between them.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
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While lower costs could boost margins for existing developers, the technology will also lower barriers to entry, potentially heightening competition.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Its long-term goal is to create a market for film rights to adaptations of literary works from the region, thereby strengthening cooperation between the film and book industries.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
6 May 2026
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Beau founded the Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center, which aimed to get kids involved in outdoor activities while strengthening their connection to nature and wildlife.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stepping up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping%20up. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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