stepped up

verb

Definition of stepped upnext
past tense of step up
as in intensified
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stepped up Hedrick was pleased with the way his defense stepped up and kept Palos Verdes out of the end zone in the second half. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 Another man stepped up with the sheriff to try and quell concerns. — Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026 Fulton’s defense stepped up with Derra Reth getting the game’s first interception. — Felipe Gamino, Daily News, 22 Aug. 2026 In his absence, Van de Ven, whom De Zerbi has talked up as the best left-sided centre-back in Europe, stepped up and played the best and most consistent stretch of the season. — Elias Burke, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Both sides have stepped up their air campaigns as the front lines remain largely static, locked in a slow-moving, deadly stalemate. — Kosta Gak, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 That came after countries including France and Germany stepped up efforts to attract students disillusioned with the prospect of a US education. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026 One swing can change that and our guys have really stepped up. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026 In recent years, Indonesia has stepped up its efforts to recover cultural artifacts that were collected, stolen and trafficked during its colonial-era. — News Desk, Artforum, 24 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped up
  1. intensified
  2. enhanced
  3. heightened
  4. deepened
  5. strengthened
  6. consolidated
Verb
  • Earlier in the week, Prokudin said that Russia has intensified attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which is about 70% under Russian control.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The legal challenge intensified an unusually public dispute over how AI can be used in warfare and mass surveillance.
    — Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of intensified
Verb
  • For daily family casual gaming scenarios, the M7SG is equipped with exclusive Game Mode Plus and enhanced Game Bar, supporting VRR variable refresh rate and ALLM automatic low-latency mode.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Meta agreed to impose changes including a default two-hour daily time limit for teens across Facebook and Instagram, muted notifications during school hours, and enhanced parental controls, with more updates potentially on the horizon.
    — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of enhanced
Verb
  • However, fundraising on such a massive scale has also heightened market concerns over long-term capacity oversupply.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The bones are covered in a sandy bacon jam hot with suya spice heightened with West African black pepper.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of heightened
Verb
  • The intervention of Allied troops on the White Russian side in the Russian Civil War deepened Bolshevik paranoia, and Bolshevik leaders concluded that hostile powers would always seek to destroy Russia by cultivating internal enemies.
    — Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Israel and Greece have deepened defense ties in the last decade.
    — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of deepened
Verb
  • With tankers at a standstill and fuel prices climbing, the war strengthened a clean-power sales pitch.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
  • While Liang’s ties with the government have strengthened, his tech bets appear to be a convergence with Beijing’s priorities rather than state-directed, Wang noted.
    — Anniek Bao,Elaine Yu, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of strengthened
Verb
  • Eventually, the lawsuits were consolidated into one, according to court documents.
    — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Jeanie prevailed in the dispute and further consolidated her control of the organization.
    — Law Murray, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of consolidated

Browse Nearby Words

stepped out
stepped up
steppes
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stepped up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20up. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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