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
Samuel Boivin | Nurphoto | Getty Images Alibaba on Tuesday announced a new chip designed for agentic capabilities as the Chinese tech giant steps up its semiconductor efforts to fuel its AI push.
—
Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
Frank and Leaf planted a tree out front and treated the old ground-floor space, just a few steps up, as a studio.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 10 Mar. 2026
If a mostly inexperienced pitching staff steps up, the Trojans will be extremely dangerous by the time the playoffs roll around.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
Make this chowder ahead of time by completing the first two steps up to three days in advance.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
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
Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
Frank and Leaf planted a tree out front and treated the old ground-floor space, just a few steps up, as a studio.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 10 Mar. 2026
If a mostly inexperienced pitching staff steps up, the Trojans will be extremely dangerous by the time the playoffs roll around.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
Make this chowder ahead of time by completing the first two steps up to three days in advance.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steps up
Verb
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The zero gravity effects here work extremely well and there's a genuine good-naturedness on display that enhances the true silliness of the moment.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
14 Apr. 2026
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Gruyère cheese and creamy butter form a rich sauce that enhances the chicken.—
Phoebe Evans,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The effect heightens the romanticism of characters who are no longer lost to us in translation.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
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Cancer Neptune in Cancer heightens emotional sensitivity and nostalgia for home, family and heritage.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That intensifies pressure on housing, infrastructure and the environment, Majorca Daily Bulletin reported.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
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Philadelphia is expected to reach 87 on Tuesday before the heat intensifies to a high of 91 later in the week.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Set during a bleak Arctic winter, the mystery deepens with the strange death of an elderly woman and another shocking murder.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
13 Apr. 2026
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That gap, however, is expected to close as capabilities improve and adoption deepens.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Kanaiyah's Law restricts where the state can house children and strengthens oversight of Maryland's child welfare system.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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That kind of partner-specific tolerance combined with aggression toward outsiders strengthens cooperation and reduces competition.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Steps up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steps%20up. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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