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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of step up
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Governments, too, must step up.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 8 Oct. 2025
Michael Engle, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Exercises like wall-sits, clam shells, step-ups, and Romanian deadlifts target the knees and surrounding muscles to improve strength and stability.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step up
Verb
Seconds later, Kings winger Jeff Malott stepped up and started to fight Manson.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Governments, too, must step up.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
Second, evaluate which transactions should require step-up verification.
—Michael Engle, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Exercises like wall-sits, clam shells, step-ups, and Romanian deadlifts target the knees and surrounding muscles to improve strength and stability.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step up
Verb
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Padrino also accused Washington of sharply intensifying aerial surveillance of Venezuela, citing a surge in spy flights last month.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
9 Oct. 2025
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And, as the first phase of his Gaza peace plan makes headway, the focus on the prospect of him winning is intensifying.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
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Insurers will be allowed to raise premiums by as much as $50 a month for 2026, up from a $35 increase allowed this year.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Keney innovations include RibbonFET, a new transistor architecture enabling efficient scaling, and PowerVia, a backside power delivery system enhancing energy flow.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Oct. 2025
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Cal Fire helicopter pilots will be training over three nights, starting Thursday, in the Sacramento area using night-vision goggles to enhance their ability to fight wildfires in the dark.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Fazit is the boost your routine never saw coming.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
9 Oct. 2025
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Regarding York, the coaching change from John Tortorella to Tocchet did seem to give him a boost, judging from his training camp.—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The following year, several lawmakers were accused of failing to report income or disclose kickbacks, deepening public frustration.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
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The board’s challenge lies in deepening their expertise while being intentional about protecting their bandwidth given the sheer volume of information and pace of change.—
Lara Abrash,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Chiefs opened the third quarter at their own 19-yard line, but Mahomes guided the offense with chunk gains to five different pass-catchers during an eight-play touchdown drive that took less than four minutes.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 Oct. 2025
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Projected by some pundits to land higher in the draft, the 6-foot-7 big man’s fall was the Hornets’ gain.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Shifting regulatory expectations, heightened demands for transparency, economic volatility, and intensifying global competition are all contributing to unprecedented complexity and pressure in the boardroom.—
Lara Abrash,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
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Hints of unease momentarily heightened as the Spartans — deliberate and layered — went to work.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Whisk in dry ingredients in 3 additions, alternating with apple cider (or juice) in 2 additions and whisking to blend.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
13 Oct. 2025
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In addition to the port crane fees, additional changes include the fee structure changes for vehicle carriers, otherwise known as roll-on roll-off vessels, which help to carry automobiles, farm equipment and other heavy machinery.—
Lori Ann LaRocco,
CNBC,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20up. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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