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
The question is, which Democrat steps up next?
—
Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
Sometimes the surprise player steps up.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
As sparks fly between Zoe and Jace, a last-minute cancellation threatens the fun, but Agnes steps up.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 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
Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
Sometimes the surprise player steps up.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
As sparks fly between Zoe and Jace, a last-minute cancellation threatens the fun, but Agnes steps up.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 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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Heather Rose explains how living quietly enhances her writing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
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More critically, this is another update where Apple enhances iOS 26.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The ad was shot on vintage tube cameras from the '80s, giving it a tactile, analog feel that heightens the retro disco energy.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Spending time in nature reduces stress, improves memory, and heightens creativity.—
Kylie Petty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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March’s lunar eclipse in Virgo — activating your fifth house of love and passion — intensifies attraction, desire and romantic chemistry, pushing you to take a risk or end a dynamic that no longer brings you joy.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
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Microsoft has introduced the Maia 200, its second-generation in-house AI chip, as competition intensifies around the cost of running large models.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Activist groups report over 6,200 deaths, while Iran’s currency continues plummeting to historic lows as the economic crisis deepens.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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Tuning out may feel easier — but silence only deepens the divide.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Snow is expected to pile up in parts of the southern Appalachians, the Carolinas and southern Virginia late Friday night into Saturday as the storm rapidly strengthens offshore.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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Consistent, moderate exercise strengthens the immune system and reduces the frequency and severity of common illnesses.—
Fred Sassani,
Austin American Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Steps up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steps%20up. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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