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 Kyiv has claimed that Wildberries handles supplies for the Russian military, and has stepped up its targeting of other critical parts of the Russian economy. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026 The Eagles defense stepped up in the second half, stopping Armwood on three possessions. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026 Szoboszlai is the firm favourite to be confirmed as Van Dijk’s deputy and, in the absence of their Dutch talisman, the former RB Leipzig midfielder has stepped up impressively during the tour of the United States. — James Pearce, New York Times, 1 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 Energetic Pursuit On a frigid, sunny morning in December 2025, Picard stepped up to a podium wearing a sweater embroidered with a squiggly cartoon of a mitochondrion. — Rachel Nuwer, Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2026 Russia has stepped up attacks ‌on the capital in recent weeks. — Reuters, NBC news, 11 July 2026 Contributor | Getty Images News | Getty Images Ukraine has stepped up its attacks on Russian fuel tankers in the Sea of Azov, seeking to disrupt supplies to occupied Crimea at a time when drone strikes have triggered nationwide gasoline shortages. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped up
  1. intensified
  2. enhanced
  3. heightened
  4. deepened
  5. strengthened
  6. consolidated
Verb
  • In 2025, after a joint appearance with Prince William at London’s COP30 climate summit, that concern intensified.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 15 Aug. 2026
  • As the Taliban have intensified their repression, women have found new ways to continue nonviolent resistance.
    — Rina Amiri, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of intensified
Verb
  • Abreu’s odds to hit a homer are also enhanced by playing in Toronto tonight.
    — Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Davy enhanced Cassie’s lips using a big lip liner and added fake freckles, a reflection of TikTok and Instagram trends.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of enhanced
Verb
  • Deadly attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Oman heightened concerns over risks to global shipping routes and sent global oil prices higher to around $90 per barrel on Wednesday.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The risks are heightened for women of color, according to the most recent maternal mortality data from the March of Dimes and the CDC.
    — Kristin Wright, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of heightened
Verb
  • At dinnertime, Thune gathered all the Republican senators for a meeting as the standoff deepened at the Capitol.
    — Lisa Mascaro, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The threats came amid rampant speculation and scrutiny of the investigation, deepened in part by uncertainty surrounding Wells’ final hours, distrust of law enforcement and the state’s long history of racist violence.
    — Josh Kelety, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of deepened
Verb
  • These same advantages have strengthened Washington’s ability to shape global legal norms.
    — Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026
  • In 2023, Anduril expanded into rocket propulsion with the acquisition of Adranos and strengthened its aircraft capabilities by acquiring Blue Force Technologies, whose designs became the basis for the Fury autonomous fighter aircraft.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of strengthened
Verb
  • Ximalaya, the long-form audio platform whose acquisition closed on May 18, contributed $60 million in revenue during the quarter – its first period fully consolidated into TME’s financial statements.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The appeal was part of a massive case that consolidated thousands of lawsuits from individuals, state attorneys general and school districts.
    — Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of consolidated

Browse Nearby Words

stepped out
stepped up
steppes
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Cite this Entry

“Stepped up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20up. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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