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
Examples of step up in a Sentence
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web
Reuters, NBC News, 24 Oct. 2024
As fuel sales decline with the rise of electric vehicles, convenience stores are stepping up their in-store experience and emerging as competitors in the food service market.
—Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 23 Oct. 2024
Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 30 Sep. 2024
Simplified Record-Keeping: The step-up simplifies record-keeping for heirs.
—Darren T. Case, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for step up 
Verb
Diplomatic efforts gained momentum in recent months after the two countries’ foreign ministers met in July and agreed to step up talks to ease the border tensions.
—Reuters, NBC News, 24 Oct. 2024
As fuel sales decline with the rise of electric vehicles, convenience stores are stepping up their in-store experience and emerging as competitors in the food service market.
—Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 23 Oct. 2024
Noun
Keep your back straight and your abdominal muscles nice and tight when doing step-ups.
Squats:
Who doesn’t love a good squat?
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 30 Sep. 2024
Simplified Record-Keeping: The step-up simplifies record-keeping for heirs.
—Darren T. Case, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for step up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step up
Verb
-
Yet the iPhone maker is struggling with intensifying competition in the world’s largest smartphone market, and regulatory challenges in getting its buzzy new AI service in the hands of Chinese consumers.Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 23 Oct. 2024
-
Hair and skin type also play a role; dark, coarse hair absorbs more laser energy, intensifying treatment, while lighter hair may cause less discomfort due to lower energy absorption.Iman Balagam, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
Wealth Taxes: An increase in capital gains tax on shares is expected rather than equalizing rates with income tax.Samuel Burke, Fortune Europe, 29 Oct. 2024
-
The race to create artificial intelligence technology could lead to dramatic increases in electronic waste, according to a study published by the Nature Computational Science.Andi Shae Napier, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
This personalization can significantly enhance the overall retirement planning experience for federal employees.Rick Harbus, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
-
This investment will be spread out among updates to laser projectors, immersive sound systems and seating updates, as well as enhancing concession offerings and adding family entertainment options like bowling and arcades.Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Although the funding boost is substantial, certain restrictions in the state’s program would remain.Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024
-
With adult ticket buying attendance still lagging, this initial performance is a real boost for specialized hopes.Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
As Eli tries to help the seemingly mute child, their bond deepens, and a haunting connection to the past begins to present itself.Simon Thompson, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
-
As the crisis deepened this summer, the Monitor spoke with several Sudanese and those who had smuggled them along one popular escape route – across the country’s northern border to Egypt – to understand what one of the world’s worst displacement crises looks like for those living through it.Ryan Lenora Brown, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
Gamble noted that Cinemark’s Latin America theaters continued to maintain the most significant market share gains compared with pre-pandemic results of all major exhibitors.Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2024
-
Consensus estimates are for a net gain of 117,500 jobs to be reported Friday, according to FactSet.Alicia Wallace, CNN, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
The Amazon show not only hits the game’s major plot points, but adds a new layer of connective tissue to its narrative that mostly heightens its story for the better.Isaiah Colbert, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2024
-
Spooky Season Is at Its Height as the Sun Enters Scorpio The Sun enters Scorpio at 6:14 p.m. ET, heightening our intuition and innermost sentiments.Lisa Stardust, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
In addition to Mayorkas, the Department of Homeland Security, ICE and several detention facilities are named as defendants in the lawsuit.Louis Casiano, Fox News, 24 Oct. 2024
-
In addition to isolated catalysts like the McDonald’s foodborne illness agita and an analyst report pointing to lighter-than-hoped sales for Apple’s iPhone 16, there was a familiar foe behind much of the losses: climbing Treasury yields.Derek Saul, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near step up
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20up. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share