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
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
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
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
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
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The year Goldberg-Polin and her family arrived in Israel, the country launched Operation Cast Lead, a massive military operation aimed at halting intensifying Hamas mortar, missile and rocket fire terrorizing southern Israeli communities.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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The launch comes amid intensifying competition.—
MacKenzie Sigalos,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While federal officials maintain that only criminals are being targeted, local advocates and community leaders say lawful residents and families with pending cases have also been detained, deepening fears that the crackdown is casting too wide a net and eroding public trust.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
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Qatar is deepening its presence in Egypt after more than a decade of strained ties.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Matcha has higher concentrations of theanine and catechins, enhancing its brain-boosting potential.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
1 Oct. 2025
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In addition, with support from Michael Kors, WFP will be able to equip 30 schools with solar panels, upgraded kitchens and improved classrooms, enhancing the learning environments for more than 3,000 students.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With Mercury and later the sun in Scorpio, your communication sector becomes supercharged, heightening your psychic receptivity and investigative nature.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
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January’s energy is heightening your creative side and invites a playful, loving energy into your interactions.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Takaichi, a hard-line conservative who’s cited former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as her hero, has called for strengthening Japan’s military, and taking a tougher stance against China and North Korea.—
Bradford Betz,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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Beyond transactions, New World Realty remains active in charitable initiatives and local events, strengthening the ties that have defined its legacy for more than three decades.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stepping up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping%20up. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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