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
Since Operation Metro Surge started, there have been many stories of Minnesotans stepping up to help their neighbors.
—
Frankie McLister, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Governments are stepping up contingency measures.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Publicist and close friend Mona Shah, who worked with Schwarz for 12 years, said he was known for stepping up, whether for a fundraiser or a friend in need.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 9 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
Make an attempt at stepping up your game!
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
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
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
Frankie McLister, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Governments are stepping up contingency measures.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Publicist and close friend Mona Shah, who worked with Schwarz for 12 years, said he was known for stepping up, whether for a fundraiser or a friend in need.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 9 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
Make an attempt at stepping up your game!
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepping up
Verb
-
Israeli officials and military leaders have recently sounded the alarm over intensifying violence and lawlessness by extremist settlers in the occupied West Bank, where arsons and deadly attacks have continued unabated.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
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The company has faced intensifying competition from TikTok and continues to battle longtime rivals in social media including Instagram and X, formerly Twitter.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Though last week's ceasefire appeared to hold, the showdown over the Strait of Hormuz risked reigniting hostilities and deepening the region-wide war's economic fallout.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
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At Sunset+Vine, which was founded 30 years ago, East will focus on scaling the company’s international presence, deepening strategic partnerships with rights holders and integrating live, original and digital-native content.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Soko applied finishing treatments using Hydrogel technology to preserve the fabric and achieve vintage wash effects, significantly reducing water consumption and enhancing the overall sustainability footprint.—
SJ Studio,
Footwear News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The city says investing in pedestrian infrastructure will help to reduce vehicle miles traveled, easing congestion and enhancing the environmental and economic vitality of the area.—
Brian Sherrod,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But mortgage rates have been mostly rising since the war with Iran began, sending energy prices surging and heightening worries about higher inflation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
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In the meantime, a full blockade of the strait could force China to become more directly involved in a conflict that is already heightening tensions with Washington.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Ahead of this system on Thursday, southwest winds will be strengthening across the region.—
Dave Aguilera,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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The state has been strengthening fire safety standards, specifically with the passage of Assembly Bill 3074 in 2020 and Senate Bill 504 in 2024, which direct residents to create an ember-resistant defensible space zone within the first 5 feet surrounding a structure, also known as Zone 0.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stepping up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping%20up. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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