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
OpenAI chief Sam Altman will be attending the G7 conference in France later this month, CNBC has learned, as President Emmanuel Macron steps up efforts to court tech leaders across the globe in support of the country’s AI ambitions.
—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 3 June 2026
Sydney is initially shocked and angry, but ultimately steps up to lead the restaurant, proposing to include Richie as a partner alongside her and Carmy's sister, Natalie (Abby Elliott).
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
How many more people must die before someone steps up to the plate and puts a stop to it?
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 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
Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 3 June 2026
Sydney is initially shocked and angry, but ultimately steps up to lead the restaurant, proposing to include Richie as a partner alongside her and Carmy's sister, Natalie (Abby Elliott).
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
How many more people must die before someone steps up to the plate and puts a stop to it?
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steps up
Verb
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And here is a helpful tip — a teaspoon of honey enhances the flavors splendidly.—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
2 June 2026
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Reducing onboard noise, therefore, improves the effectiveness of the vessel’s surveillance equipment and enhances operating conditions for the crew.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
1 June 2026
Verb
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At the same time, a lot of the region’s industrial infrastructure is aging, which also heightens the risk of leaks, cracks or failure.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
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Thus, as the business case bar for acceptable returns rises to reflect these realities as well as economic uncertainty, capital discipline heightens.—
Jim DeLoach,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
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This problem often intensifies once business leaders decide to scale their AI solutions and move them into production.—
Shekhar Iyer,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
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Israeli forces seized a 12th-century Crusader castle in southern Lebanon, as Israel intensifies its farthest incursion into the country in 26 years, despite a nominal ceasefire.—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
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OpenAI deepens Amazon ties watch now Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
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Pelley’s exit deepens the turmoil at the leading newsmagazine, where several employees have clashed with CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss over the show’s editorial direction under its new corporate owner, Paramount Skydance, the company run by technology scion David Ellison.—
Kaylah Jackson,
NBC news,
3 June 2026
Verb
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All that support undoubtedly strengthens a campaign.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
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Landing the greatest shooter in NBA history gives Li-Ning a marquee athlete and further strengthens China's growing presence in the league.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Steps up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steps%20up. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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