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
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Recent Examples of stepped up
Smith, who had a single and walk in the victory, stepped up with a running catch in deep center to end the sixth inning.
—
Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
China hasn't ruled out the use of force and has stepped up its military exercises around Taiwan, sending warships and fighter jets closer toward the island and steadily poaching Taiwan's few remaining diplomatic allies.
—Huizhong Wu, Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026
But Leo stepped up his criticism starting on Palm Sunday.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Bateman stepped up in his place, ultimately forming an offshoot group.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 10 Apr. 2026
On Day 1 of the truce, and in the days since, Israel has stepped up attacks against Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy, in Lebanon, outraging Iran and leading to accusations the terms had been breached.
—Justin Fishel, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
During a slog of an away game at Penn State in which Dent went scoreless, Perry stepped up with a career-high 30 points to lift UCLA to victory.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
The loss isn’t solely on either star, but neither stepped up when the Huskies desperately needed someone to take over and make plays.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
Priscilla Pena was one of the first people who stepped up to have her feet washed outside the facility on Thursday.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
China hasn't ruled out the use of force and has stepped up its military exercises around Taiwan, sending warships and fighter jets closer toward the island and steadily poaching Taiwan's few remaining diplomatic allies.
—Huizhong Wu, Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026
But Leo stepped up his criticism starting on Palm Sunday.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Bateman stepped up in his place, ultimately forming an offshoot group.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 10 Apr. 2026
On Day 1 of the truce, and in the days since, Israel has stepped up attacks against Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy, in Lebanon, outraging Iran and leading to accusations the terms had been breached.
—Justin Fishel, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
During a slog of an away game at Penn State in which Dent went scoreless, Perry stepped up with a career-high 30 points to lift UCLA to victory.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
The loss isn’t solely on either star, but neither stepped up when the Huskies desperately needed someone to take over and make plays.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
Priscilla Pena was one of the first people who stepped up to have her feet washed outside the facility on Thursday.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped up
Verb
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The outraged reactions only intensified, including claims that teams would be reticent to do business with the Ravens in the future.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Already ongoing for days ahead of the visit, discussions about handling security intensified after a heavily armed man sprinted through security and got yards away from the banquet hall crowded with about 2,000 journalists, federal officials and celebrities before he was tackled to the ground.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The series’ earnestly naïve sound design (horses neighing, cars revving) only enhanced my appreciation of Joudrey’s sophisticated storytelling.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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The contract provides raises and enhanced health benefits, among other things.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Climate change has also heightened risks.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
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Lufthansa just slashed 20,000 flights, and others like United Airlines are raising flight prices by up to 20% as jet fuel shortages place heightened pressure on airlines.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For Kennedy, being part of the series has only deepened her confidence.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
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His work deepened and developed under the responsiveness of the academy and a larger and not-yet-balkanized reading public.—
Nick Laird,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, the latest edition of the MLB World Tour strengthened the perception of binational ties, coming in a stadium named after a Padres minority owner with a significant stake.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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The gangland drama is deeper and darker than the domestic one, strengthened by the unexpected portrayal of the Russian toughs as bumbling in their own way.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Colombian presidential candidate Iván Cepeda consolidated his lead in the most recent poll and would defeat both conservative rivals in a runoff scenario, five weeks ahead of the vote.—
Oscar Medina,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
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The meeting’s outcomes will be consolidated into a final report rather than a binding agreement.—
Fabiano Maisonnave,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stepped up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20up. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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