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
Recent Examples on the Web
Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 9 Sep. 2024
Vier-ing toward experience Part of the Tigers’ success has resulted from players stepping up in new roles.
—Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2024
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2024
Check out some beginner exercises to make your legs more toned, from step-ups to lunges.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 29 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for step up 
Verb
Catherine has always stepped up to the plate sartorially, looking sharp and polished at every royal event.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 9 Sep. 2024
Vier-ing toward experience Part of the Tigers’ success has resulted from players stepping up in new roles.
—Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2024
Noun
Jefferson drew a direct link to the positive reception to the Games and the step-up in technology.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2024
Check out some beginner exercises to make your legs more toned, from step-ups to lunges.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 29 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for step up
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'step up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 1 Oct. 2024.
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