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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Example Sentences
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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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Creatine enhances energy and performance during high-intensity exercise, while protein supports muscle growth, repair, and development.—
Jessica Swirble,
Verywell Health,
14 Oct. 2025
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From minimalist gold styles to louder ones punctuated by pearls and diamonds, even the pickiest of fashion insiders can find a pair of huggie earrings that not only complements but enhances their favorite ‘fit.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But confronting these primal fears heightens the experience.—
Heide Brandes,
AFAR Media,
15 Oct. 2025
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Strong approached Rice and the original creative team for permission, which was quickly granted, before honing in on his version of Chess, which heightens the politics of the era, and introduces a narrator to guide the audience through the plot.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As public anger intensifies crucial questions about the next steps remain unanswered.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
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The East Coast is bracing for heavy rains and strong winds as a nor’easter intensifies through the weekend.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Around 60% of Iraq's nearly 46 million citizens are under the age of 30, a demographic that could determine whether the election reinvigorates a stagnant political system or deepens disillusionment.—
Emma Graham,
CNBC,
15 Oct. 2025
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Paper opens with clove and Atlas cedar for spicy warmth, deepens into leather and soft cashmere, and finishes with a whisper of bourbon vanilla and parchment.—
Michael Stefanov,
Robb Report,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The test strengthens Diehl’s position as a key defense contractor for Germany’s ongoing modernization programs.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Oct. 2025
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The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has emphasized that aluminum in vaccines strengthens the immune response and does not cause autism or other serious health problems.—
Humberto Basilio,
Scientific American,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Steps up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steps%20up. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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