as in enhances
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 steps up
Tamra Judge steps up to the line and, like Judge Dredd with hair extensions, knocks down two dozen or so targets in 27 seconds, seemingly without missing a shot.
—
Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
His right-hand man Erik Mortensen steps up to finish the fall 1982 collection and lead the couture house.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
Daniels steps up, but Wyatt is right there and forces Daniels to cut back right into Sorrell and Brooks, who split the sack for a loss of 2 yards.
—Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Who steps up in ensuing summers residents may be itching to know.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
Tensions have risen sharply in recent years as China flies near-daily military sorties across the median line of the Taiwan Strait and steps up major military drills to punish Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Vingroup—the flagship company of billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong, Vietnam’s richest person—plans to invest around 374 trillion dong ($14 billion) to develop a port and logistics hub outside of Hanoi as the nation’s largest conglomerate steps up expansion plans.
—Yessar Rosendar, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
His right-hand man Erik Mortensen steps up to finish the fall 1982 collection and lead the couture house.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
Daniels steps up, but Wyatt is right there and forces Daniels to cut back right into Sorrell and Brooks, who split the sack for a loss of 2 yards.
—Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Who steps up in ensuing summers residents may be itching to know.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
Tensions have risen sharply in recent years as China flies near-daily military sorties across the median line of the Taiwan Strait and steps up major military drills to punish Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
Vingroup—the flagship company of billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong, Vietnam’s richest person—plans to invest around 374 trillion dong ($14 billion) to develop a port and logistics hub outside of Hanoi as the nation’s largest conglomerate steps up expansion plans.
—Yessar Rosendar, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steps up
Verb
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Heme iron is more bioavailable (easier to absorb) than nonheme, but combining them enhances the absorption, and both forms contribute to your daily intake, says Moon.—
Kristine Thomason,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
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Since 2013, Romana has specialized in advanced restorative and cosmetic dentistry that corrects or restores or enhances smiles.—
Shawn Price,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The fact that the Brazilian athlete is age 50 only heightens the challenge, which will take place at the Centro Administrativo Fernando Ferrari — a nearly 89-meter building in his homeland’s city of Porto Alegre.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
24 Sep. 2025
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Meanwhile, the essence of Mars in Scorpio sharpens your focus and heightens your passion around career matters.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Among those who are allergic, adults are generally considered at higher risk of a potentially life-threatening reaction, because the allergy intensifies the more times the person has been stung throughout their life.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Kansas City Star,
17 Sep. 2025
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Venus outshines the star by a factor of 120 to 1, and yet their proximity for several mornings intensifies the contrasting yellow-white of the planet and bluish white of the star.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Yet Harjo deepens his conflict, between the personal and the communal, with every episode.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
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Toki Black keeps that Hakushu malt core and the Yamazaki sherry cask influence, but deepens the recipe.—
Gina Pace,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Much of the Bahamas are expected to be soaked — with six to twelve inches of rain in the heaviest spots near the northwest — and be swept by winds of 45 mph and up as the depression strengthens into Tropical Storm Imelda as early as today.—
Alex Harris
Updated September 28,
Miami Herald,
28 Sep. 2025
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Rooted in the land-grant tradition, the UA System expands access to academic, practical, and professional opportunities, fosters intellectual growth and student success, promotes discovery and public service, and strengthens Arkansas's economy, health, and culture.—
Ryan Anderson,
Arkansas Online,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Steps up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steps%20up. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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