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
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Recent Examples of step up
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2025
In response to safety concerns surrounding lithium-ion batteries, the TSA has stepped up enforcement and is paying closer attention to power banks during security screenings.
—Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 24 Aug. 2025
PC Magazine, 25 July 2025
Plus, transferring property can have huge tax consequences, including the loss of step-up in tax basis that your attorney mentioned as well as property tax reassessments.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for step up
Verb
Luckily, plenty of restaurants in the Queen City are stepping up to help with family-friendly deals where kids eat free.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2025
In response to safety concerns surrounding lithium-ion batteries, the TSA has stepped up enforcement and is paying closer attention to power banks during security screenings.
—Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
Most entry-level cameras omit weather protection—Canon leaves it out of its most affordable EOS RP and step-up EOS R8 bodies, for instance—but Nikon puts it in the Z5II, and in the Z 5 for that matter.
—PC Magazine, 25 July 2025
Plus, transferring property can have huge tax consequences, including the loss of step-up in tax basis that your attorney mentioned as well as property tax reassessments.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for step up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step up
Verb
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West won't feel the fall preview Folks in the West would welcome some of the chill that will overtake the Midwest and Northeast: Dangerous heat is expected to intensify and expand in coverage over much of the western U.S. into the weekend, the National Weather Service said.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
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Scientists, as a group, lean more Democratic and less Republican than the rest of the public, a trend that seems to have intensified in recent decades.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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One European country notably looking forward to an increase in Chinese tourists: Italy.—
Russell Flannery,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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Though Trump himself has tied crime to a possible increase of federal forces in Chicago, the administration is expected to characterize the surge of law enforcement resources as focused specifically on immigration enforcement, the Associated Press reported.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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What steps to follow when driving in the rain? Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
23 Aug. 2025
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His ongoing mission is to elevate public safety and rescue operations, using technology to enhance how communities respond to the needs of their most vulnerable citizens.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Use a liquid fertilizer now to give the plants a boost.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
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Terms and Conditions New Customers - 21+ in Eligible States Bonus Last Verified On Aug. 30, 2025 Information Confirmed By Newsweek One of the best parts of the bet365 app is the number of bet boosts that are available.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Aromatic onion, bell pepper and garlic are used to enhance and deepen the sauce.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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Admittedly, energy ties between the U.S. and E.U. are indeed deepening.—
Gaurav Sharma,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Employers added just 73,000 jobs and employment gains for May and June were revised down by a massive 258,000.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
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Its content lineup, led by hits like Outlander: Blood of My Blood, Force, Raising Kanan, and the return of Spartacus, is fueling strong engagement, with the Outlander prequel achieving the third-highest subscriber gains in Starz history.—
Joe Cornell,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Auroral activity has been heightened since last year, when the sun reached the peak of its 11-year solar cycle, which is a catalyst for coronal mass ejections and solar flares that contribute to stronger auroral activity.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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The Trump administration has also heightened deportation efforts — but Giordano said what city and department officials have been saying for months: Phoenix police do not enforce immigration laws and do not work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.—
Elena Santa Cruz,
AZCentral.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Under Ohio law, the country club is owed triple damages for the theft in addition to punitive and other damages, making the total for both Lee and Sulky nearly $4 million.—
Kevin Grasha,
The Enquirer,
26 Aug. 2025
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Below are the five core phases, in addition to construction and operations.—
Yuvraj Kshirsagar,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20up. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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