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
Katherine Hartley, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025
Not all of them, to be sure—the Nordic and Baltic states and Poland have stepped up, as Hegseth openly acknowledged.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2025
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 18 Dec. 2024
Do light step-ups a few inches high, mimicking climbing a set of stairs and that also helps with balance control and coordination.
—Deborah Vankin, Boston Herald, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for step up 
Verb
If the federal government won’t protect women, state leaders must step up.
—Katherine Hartley, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025
Not all of them, to be sure—the Nordic and Baltic states and Poland have stepped up, as Hegseth openly acknowledged.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2025
Noun
The company reported a gross margin of 55.2%, up from 54.2% in the previous year, reflecting favorable product mix and lower incremental inventory step-up amortization.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 18 Dec. 2024
Do light step-ups a few inches high, mimicking climbing a set of stairs and that also helps with balance control and coordination.
—Deborah Vankin, Boston Herald, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for step up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step up
Verb
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Such measures risk destabilizing global supply networks, straining reliant industries, and intensifying geopolitical tensions.—
Michaela Rychetska and Aissa Dearing,
JSTOR Daily,
13 Feb. 2025
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As Israeli forces advanced in Gaza, the IDF intensified operations in Lebanon last year, killing much of its top leadership, including longtime Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, and establishing an effective buffer zone in the south.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Their expertise drives significant profit growth and revenue increase as well as U.S. expansion.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
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If European election results last year - which saw an 18% increase in 16–34-year-olds voting for the AfD - are a barometer, the rise nationally among the same group could form a significant part of the AfD’s likely climb into second place.—
Sebastian Shukla,
CNN,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The phenomenon will visible to the naked eye from Earth’s Western Hemisphere, but will be enhanced with telescopes and binoculars, NASA says.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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Fears are mounting that the Trump administration could remove the country’s eligibility from the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA), a trade act that enhances market access to the US for qualifying Sub-Saharan African nations.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The second season of the blockbuster series Squid Game, plus the original movie Carry-On, gave the viewer numbers a huge boost.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
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Related article Trump delivers another blow to Ukraine and a new boost to Putin But Trump’s boosting of Russia goes well beyond rhetoric.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Popular freezer hacks include saving Parmesan rinds to deepen the flavor of soups, cutting up loaves of bread for toast, and even storing homemade jam without all the mess of canning.—
Meghan McCarron,
The Atlantic,
18 Feb. 2025
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But Kevin and his team are actually bringing to India the largest and the most deepened entertainment portfolio that India has ever seen.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Without addressing the structural issues—corruption, weak institutions, economic precarity—security gains won't hold.—
Jesus Mesa,
Newsweek,
9 Feb. 2025
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Sectors that saw the most job gains last month were health care, retail trade and social assistance.—
Ahtra Elnashar,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The strangeness heightens as one of the staff members tries to staunch an incessant nosebleed mid-conversation and when Elisabeth launches into an almost 10-minute fit of laughter.—
Abigail Lee,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2025
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Curate the mood with all five senses in mind: Sight – Turn down the lights, add candles, or use a blindfold to heighten anticipation in the sexiest way.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In addition, the real estate market can be cyclical, with prices fluctuating based on interest rates, economic conditions and demand.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
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In addition, Priam relieves one of the biggest frustrations in freight transportation, which is the lack of proactive communication.—
William Mullane,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
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 23 Feb. 2025.
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