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
Tamara Keith, NPR, 20 May 2025
No new sanctions on Russia from Trump Trump has threatened to step up sanctions and tariffs on Russia but hasn’t acted so far.
—Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Jay Harris, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
The bill would preserve step-up in basis, allowing heirs to inherit assets tax-free and sell with no capital gains tax on prior appreciation.
—Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step up
Verb
Trump recently stepped up the pressure on holdouts in his party on social media, calling on his party to unite behind the bill — and warning holdouts to get behind it.
—Tamara Keith, NPR, 20 May 2025
No new sanctions on Russia from Trump Trump has threatened to step up sanctions and tariffs on Russia but hasn’t acted so far.
—Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Noun
Tel has scored twice in the league and played 80 minutes in last week’s quarter-final second leg against Frankfurt, but this felt like a step-up from his previous performances.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
The bill would preserve step-up in basis, allowing heirs to inherit assets tax-free and sell with no capital gains tax on prior appreciation.
—Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step up
Verb
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The September departure of OpenAI’s chief technology officer, Mira Murati, who then founded a rival AI startup, has intensified the AI talent war.—
Anna Tong,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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And political repression has intensified since Maduro’s fraudulent July 2024 re-election, says a new report by the Human Rights Watch (HRW) advocacy group.—
Andres Oppenheimer,
Miami Herald,
21 May 2025
Noun
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That’s above the 3.2% price increase expected for food-at-home purchased from grocery stores or supermarkets.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
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That’s also the case for a $4,000 increase in the standard deduction for seniors.—
Kevin Freking,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2025
Verb
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The league is focused on four key areas: enhanced technological features to detect hateful comments online; increased emphasis on team, arena and league security measures; reinforcing mental health resources; and alignment of core against hate.—
Doug Feinberg,
Chicago Tribune,
18 May 2025
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Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 May 2025
Noun
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The back-and-forth continued into a 15-15 third set as Tyler Goldberg’s defense off the bench gave the Rockets a significant boost, and Rozman heated up for five kills, but the Warriors took 10 of the next 13 points.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
14 May 2025
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Segal sees digital technologies, film tax credits and other soft money available internationally as providing a financial and creative boost to Hollywood producers to go further afield to shoot projects.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2025
Verb
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This could deepen existing social inequalities, creating new layers of privilege and marginalization.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
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Months passed and her discomfort deepened into a piercing pain, but by the time she was taken seriously, a scary diagnosis left one of her ovaries beyond saving.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
25 May 2025
Noun
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Years of war propaganda and steady, if slow, battlefield gains, have convinced many Russians that their country is fighting an existential conflict against the West, which will not end until Ukrainian capitulation.—
Anatoly Kurmanaev,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
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Chicago saw the seventh-biggest population gain of any city in the country last year — growth largely attributed to the city’s influx of migrants.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2025
Verb
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The decision is expected to heighten tensions between the Trump administration and California.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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Allowing these two to be the sole focus between the sticks in camp will only heighten that competition.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Noun
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In addition to proof of citizenship, the bill also would require states to remove anyone identified as a noncitizen from voter rolls.—
Deborah Barfield Berry,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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In addition to acting, Amara is a model currently signed with The Rock Agency.—
Avalon Hester,
People.com,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20up. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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