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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steps up
Verb
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One year, for example, the tour helped fund a picnic area accessibility project organized by the nonprofit For the Love of the Lake; this year’s beneficiary is White Rock Lake Conservancy, which preserves and enhances White Rock Lake Park.—
Kelley Bruss,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Mimicking the qualities of a natural environment within a high-rise, the design enhances workplace well-being and fosters a connected experience.—
Adam Williams
March 06,
New Atlas,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Set in London and Spain, the story unfolds across six episodes — Wright directed the first three — and cleverly heightens the tensions sometimes experienced in in-law relationships.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Inflation The war only heightens the importance of the upcoming inflation data.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Belarus now imprisons 28 journalists as President Lukashenko intensifies a crackdown on press freedom.—
Yuras Karmanau,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Ogles' comments, made on the first day of House Republicans' annual week-long policy retreat in Doral, Florida, also came as the war in Iran rapidly intensifies.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Each year without the dead only deepens the furrow of their absence.—
Sasha Geffen,
Pitchfork,
10 Mar. 2026
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As capabilities improve and adoption deepens, the researchers write, the red will grow to fill the blue.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Genuine courtesy strengthens your reputation across all spheres.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Rice water increases the density of follicles on the scalp, strengthens the growth process, and imparts silkiness.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Steps up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steps%20up. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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