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
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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
Julia Ries Wexler, Health, 15 Apr. 2026
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
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
Unlike squats, where both legs share the workload, step-ups rely on one leg to produce nearly all of the lifting force, according to Hribick.
—Julia Ries Wexler, Health, 15 Apr. 2026
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
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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The raise was the 15th consecutive increase by the Fed and the first since Ben Bernanke took over as chairman of the FOMC.—
Krysta Escobar,
CNBC,
22 May 2026
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Strava Muscle Maps As well as being consistent with an increase in the popularity of strength training, even as an add-on discipline for runners and cyclists, the improvement in Strava’s muscle maps feature is in harmony with wearable tech itself.—
Andrew Williams,
Forbes.com,
22 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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The second is the readily available and more accessible medical aesthetic industry, which received a boost during the pandemic with the normalization of treatments.—
Kanika Talwar,
Footwear News,
22 May 2026
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Sandy soil is also suitable as long as it is amended with compost to improve drainage and add a nutrient boost.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
22 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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Those humans who currently get degrees in philosophy tend to find gainful employment not because organizations need philosophers, but because companies want people who have strong writing skills, can do analyses, think in abstractions, and have heightened communication skills.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
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Everything feels heightened and more exciting.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
22 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 23 May. 2026.
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