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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of step up
Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
The 6-foot-7 senior left the Trojans’ most recent game against Indiana with 19 minutes remaining in the second half due to the injury, but 6-6 freshman Alijah Arenas stepped up to finish with a team-high 29 points.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026
Lorie Konish, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025
Examples include air squats, step-ups, push-ups, and dips.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step up
Verb
Art is barely taught in many public schools these days, but the Southampton Arts Center is stepping up to teach kids from grades K-12 about painting, sculpting, photography and more.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
The 6-foot-7 senior left the Trojans’ most recent game against Indiana with 19 minutes remaining in the second half due to the injury, but 6-6 freshman Alijah Arenas stepped up to finish with a team-high 29 points.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
Then by buying those securities back, the taxpayer can get a free step-up in basis that adjusts to today’s value, Collado said.
—Lorie Konish, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025
Examples include air squats, step-ups, push-ups, and dips.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step up
Verb
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French wine and spirits exports have slipped from being traditionally France’s second-largest export sector to third, behind aerospace and cosmetics, as trade tensions intensified.—
Reuters 9 hr ago,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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This causes the outer layers of the star to expand and cool, evolving into a red giant, while the interior of the core heats up, intensifying the rate of fusion within it.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The focus areas expected to power these margin increases for FedEx include its high-value B2B and specialized B2C segments.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Feb. 2026
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Without that data, the BLS assumed that no price increases had taken place during the month for most categories of goods and services.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The research team aims to explore how the patches can enhance situational awareness and monitor exposure for military personnel in hazardous environments.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
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Items such as candle sconces and decorative milagros add a touch of sparkle and enhance the mood.—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Universities across the state will also get a sizable boost from the funding bills.—
Lisa Hagen,
Hartford Courant,
13 Feb. 2026
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But now researchers say a quick nap might offer that same kind of brain boost.—
Hunter Boyce,
AJC.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Anand cited deepening ties on defense, security, climate change, economic resilience and Arctic co-operation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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Hicks' work with the charity, combined with his fluency in Spanish, helped deepen his ties to immigrant communities.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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These performance gains have immediate implications for safety during human–robot interaction.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
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Jason Wilbanks was charged with computer tampering, evidence tampering, using his office for personal gain, and soliciting to commit a drug crime.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The idea that Wuthering Heights is alive is heightened in the film by production designer Suzie Davies’s sets.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
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That possibility has injected urgency into negotiations and heightened the stakes of what has become a test of legislative independence from a governor who has long dominated Tallahassee politics.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In addition to the Sierra population, there are about 20 Sierra Nevada red foxes living in the Cascade mountain range of Northern California.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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In addition to academic affairs, the provost oversees seven other offices focused on faculty, graduate studies and enrollment.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20up. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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