as in to intensify
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in increase
something added (as by growth)
there's been a step-up in productivity since regular breaks were offered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of step up
Reuters, NBC news, 17 May 2026
Watching the moment unfold left Stella emotional, especially seeing how naturally her husband stepped up for their daughter.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
The Peloton Cross Training Tread measures 65 by 33 by 68 inches (HWD), has a step-up height of 8 inches, and weighs 286 pounds.
—Craig Rawlins-Wilson, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for step up
Verb
Long-range attacks Ukraine has stepped up drone attacks on targets deep inside Russia in recent weeks, aiming to knock out oil refineries, depots and pipelines, as both sides seek to degrade each other’s infrastructure.
—Reuters, NBC news, 17 May 2026
Watching the moment unfold left Stella emotional, especially seeing how naturally her husband stepped up for their daughter.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 17 May 2026
Noun
The exercise program involved two group exercise classes per week, including 30 minutes of intervals on an exercise bike, then 15 minutes of circuit training (step-ups, boxing, squats, kettlebells, and so on).
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
The Peloton Cross Training Tread measures 65 by 33 by 68 inches (HWD), has a step-up height of 8 inches, and weighs 286 pounds.
—Craig Rawlins-Wilson, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for step up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step up
Verb
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But the indictment’s most consequential allegations center on what happened after Washington intensified sanctions pressure on Venezuela’s oil industry beginning in 2019.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
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Higher output at sea The findings arrive as governments worldwide intensify efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and expand renewable energy generation in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
19 May 2026
Noun
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Looking ahead, the biggest growth drivers for Cisco will likely be hyperscaler AI build-outs and enterprise artificial intelligence networking upgrades, in addition to campus modernization as requirements for traffic, security, and latency increase, according to HSBC.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
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School nutrition directors say that the increases are not enough and Congress needs to rethink the reimbursement formula as meal program costs rise.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Both forwards scored Wednesday, and both enhanced the opportunities of several teammates.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
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The dermatology and wellness center blends functional and aesthetic medicine to offer treatments designed to enhance natural features rather than dramatically alter them.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Rice University’s Kinder Institute study found that newcomer students in the kindergarten through fifth grade age range who are eligible for intensive newcomer English programs experience a measurable academic boost, lasting up to three years after eligibility.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 May 2026
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Ewing and Cortes have the potential to help fantasy managers who need a boost to their lineup.—
Mike Barner,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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These are the services that reduce harm and support reintegration, unlike arrests that only deepen instability.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
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Relations between China and Russia have deepened in recent years, particularly since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 left Moscow shunned on the global stage and heavily reliant on Beijing for trade due to Western sanctions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
Noun
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While states had sought to change their maps for partisan gain, Republicans in some Southern states are also scrambling to redraw their House district boundaries after the Supreme Court weakened a key provision of the Voting Rights Act in a landmark decision last month.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
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China’s economy is now about 60% to 70% as big as that of the US, a gain of more than threefold in the past 20 years.—
David Westin,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Everything in this screen world is heightened, slightly off-kilter, but entirely plausible (with the exception being Ruby’s wretched body, still burning after all these years).—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
15 May 2026
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To heighten this risk even further, more than half of employees admit to integrating AI tools with other work systems using APIs, without IT department approval or oversight.—
Rachel Wells,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Simple and streamlined, this linen tank top is one of the most versatile additions to any travel wardrobe—I’m even eyeing it in a few different colors, given its affordable price tag.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
20 May 2026
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In addition to traditional treatments, there are holistic therapies like sound healing, Reiki, and shirodhara, an ancient Ayurvedic remedy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20up. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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