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
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
There’s been an injury turnstile on the line, but the train in the trenches has kept on pushing forward, with new faces stepping up weekly.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 22 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
Noah Baumbach will step up for a Director Tribute at the Gotham Film Awards for Netflix’s Jay Kelly, co-written with Emily Mortimer and starring George Clooney and Adam Sandler.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
There’s been an injury turnstile on the line, but the train in the trenches has kept on pushing forward, with new faces stepping up weekly.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 22 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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Shared resources, intimate interactions, and unspoken bonds intensify.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
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Revelations and reports on both sides of the state line, including an Overland Park real estate deal tied to the Royals, have only intensified speculation about either team’s intentions.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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For some animals, increases in carbs could cause acidosis and be fatal.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
27 Oct. 2025
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Managing this amount of data is extremely difficult and requires massive amounts of computing power, but the information is becoming more accurate every day as the number of sightings increase.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The research team revealed that the findings of the study offer new insights into enhancing the performance of electrochemical systems, including batteries, fuel cells, and sensors.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
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Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This trend has followed a similar pattern across Europe, with Spain and Germany also seeing a boost in this system’s use after a quieter period.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Beijing’s talent-friendly move could also give it a boost amid continuing trade tensions and tech rivalries with Washington, which has imposed export controls on chips and other advanced technology that are spurring China to develop its own.—
Peter Guo,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Japan, one of the world’s most homogeneous nations, faces deepening labor shortages as its birth rate plummets and its population ages.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Using fractional diffusion theory, the research deepens understanding of transient charging behaviors in complex materials, which is key to designing high-performance components used for advanced engineering electrochemical systems in general.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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While the Hong Kong listing should enhance the company’s liquidity and visibility, Zephirin added that a valuation re-rating is unlikely without meaningful gains in capital efficiency or strategy execution.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
28 Oct. 2025
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Salesforce’s stock is down nearly 25% year-to-date, while competitors such as Microsoft (up 25%), Oracle (up 70%), and SAP (up 10%) have seen solid gains.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The airy vibes are only heightened by the floor-to-ceiling window wall leading to an outdoor patio area.—
Gabriela Ulloa,
Architectural Digest,
25 Oct. 2025
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As a teen growing alongside the flourishing of hip hop music, productions, and media, my awareness of race and gender was heightened.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In addition to its roomy style, fans also enthusiastically cite the bag’s leather material for its durability.—
Michelle Baricevic,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Oct. 2025
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In addition to Samo Lives, Starr has the fifth and final season of The Boys coming up.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20up. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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