as in intensified
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 stepped up
The greater setback was at the senior Red Bull team after Isack Hadjar, who stepped up from Racing Bulls for 2026, crashed in just his second day behind the wheel of the RB22 car.
—
Luke Smith, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
African investors have stepped up to take up the vacated space but have yet to match the size of funding rounds during those peak years.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Two children watched with wide eyes Thursday evening as a woman with a bright red megaphone stepped up to speak on the sidewalk in front of Research Medical Center.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2026
Ziaire Williams stepped up off the bench with nine points of his own, and despite six turnovers that led to nine Boston points, the Nets still entered the fourth holding a slim 81-78 lead.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
A lot of guys stepped up and made big plays tonight.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
Rocco Rios Novo, who stepped up in Miami’s playoff run, signed a permanent deal with the club after being on loan from Argentine club Lanus last season.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
On the heels of her buzzy appearances at her mother's halftime show performance and Renaissance World Tour, Blue Ivy stepped up another level for the 2025 Cowboy Carter Tour.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Local generosity and continued need Community groups and businesses have stepped up as well.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025
Luke Smith, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
African investors have stepped up to take up the vacated space but have yet to match the size of funding rounds during those peak years.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Two children watched with wide eyes Thursday evening as a woman with a bright red megaphone stepped up to speak on the sidewalk in front of Research Medical Center.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2026
Ziaire Williams stepped up off the bench with nine points of his own, and despite six turnovers that led to nine Boston points, the Nets still entered the fourth holding a slim 81-78 lead.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
A lot of guys stepped up and made big plays tonight.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
Rocco Rios Novo, who stepped up in Miami’s playoff run, signed a permanent deal with the club after being on loan from Argentine club Lanus last season.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
On the heels of her buzzy appearances at her mother's halftime show performance and Renaissance World Tour, Blue Ivy stepped up another level for the 2025 Cowboy Carter Tour.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Local generosity and continued need Community groups and businesses have stepped up as well.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped up
Verb
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Pockets of protests erupting across Iran over the past week have intensified pressure on a dysfunctional government struggling to manage a spiraling economic crisis.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
7 Jan. 2026
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The Justice Department has intensified efforts to investigate fraud in the state after a social media video shared by YouTuber Nick Shirley went viral right before New Year's Day.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The deciduous saucer magnolia’s floral display is enhanced by the fact that flowering takes place when the tree is still leafless.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Updated for the first time since 1997, the new version promises 36-hour wear, enhanced skin care benefits and offers 70 shades.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Emmer has been a staunch opponent of Walz for some time, whose antagonism for the governor heightened once Walz became the vice presidential running mate to former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
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Exercise heightened caution during this period.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The trajectory is not altered; instead, existing advancements are deepened and extended.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
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The fatal shooting sparked demonstrations nationwide and has deepened fissures between federal and state officials.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The dialogue between past and present will be strengthened further with the opening of the Jewish Academy in the Westend district.—
CNT Editors,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
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When Mars and Venus are both in cazimi — activated by the sun in Capricorn — relationships may undergo a reset where intentions are clarified and commitments are either strengthened or redefined.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Long before arriving in the Netherlands, Mellerio had already consolidated its position as a reference jeweler for royalty.—
Marta Martínez Tato,
Vanity Fair,
25 Jan. 2026
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The election had to be conducted within 140 days — or up to 200 days if consolidated with another election.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stepped up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20up. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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