STEPS UP Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

steps up

verb

present tense third-person singular of step up

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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for steps up

Verb

If the tile goes mid-way up the wall, the designer recommends choosing a paint color that enhances the tile’s color, either a similar hue or a complementary tone.

— Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 June 2026
This enhances France’s capability to maintain its operational superiority in contested and high-intensity airspaces.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 June 2026