stepped up; stepping up; steps up
1
: to increase, augment, or advance especially by one or more steps
The team really stepped up their performance.
The enemy stepped up their attacks.
He also plans to step up efforts to headhunt for the best and brightest …—
Jerry Garrett
Jerry GarrettFactory production was stepped up in an effort to meet helicopter shortfalls.—Shelby L. Stanton
Shelby L. Stanton2
: to increase (a voltage) by means of a transformer
… the use of transformers to step up the voltage to very high levels …—Thomas P. Hughes
Thomas P. Hughes1
a
: to make the effort required to provide information, make a claim, volunteer, etc.
She stepped up to claim responsibility.
see also step up to the plate
b
: to succeed in meeting a challenge (as by increased effort or improved performance)
They just didn't have the guys to step up and make the big plays with the game on the line.—Peter King
Peter King2
: to undergo an increase
Business is stepping up.
3
: to receive a promotion
She stepped up to the position of general manager.
variants
or step up
plural step-ups or step ups
: an increase or advance (as in size or amount) and especially one that is gradual or incremental
Lower inflation will minimize cost-of-living step-ups for Social Security recipients …—Arthur M. Louis
Arthur M. LouisThis model will give them the quality step-up they want at a decent price …—Len Feldman
Len Feldman"… We expect a gradual step up in sales each quarter as 2021 progresses, followed by an extended period of growth starting in 2022."—Nick Stanage
Nick StanageSynonyms
Examples of step up in a Sentence
Verb
candidates stepping up their campaigns as election day draws near
stepped up the pace to catch up with the others
Noun
there's been a step-up in productivity since regular breaks were offered
Recent Examples on the Web
John Feffer, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Aba Want to step up your game with that special someone?
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American-Statesman, 10 Dec. 2024
PCMAG, 3 Dec. 2024
Enjoying a step-up on the fund shares, his widow has just over $58,000 to spend.
—William Baldwin, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for step up 
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Verb
Israel has also stepped up bombing of Assad's former military assets to keep them out of rebel hands.
—John Feffer, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Aba Want to step up your game with that special someone?
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American-Statesman, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
What Makes a Good Gaming PC Product Deal? Often with gaming PCs, pushing a few extra hundred dollars for a step-up component is worthwhile.
—PCMAG, 3 Dec. 2024
Enjoying a step-up on the fund shares, his widow has just over $58,000 to spend.
—William Baldwin, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for step up
Dictionary Entries Near step up
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/step%20up. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.
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