STEPPED-UP Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

stepped up

verb

Definition of stepped up

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

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Recent Examples of stepped up 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 The Eagles defense stepped up in the second half, stopping Armwood on three possessions. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped up

Verb

That momentum intensified into 2026 before reversing sharply in recent weeks, leaving the four stocks roughly 20% to 40% below their late-June peaks.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
The competition has intensified over the past year as Netflix has stepped up its pursuit of YouTube’s most popular channels.

— Lucas Shaw, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of intensified

Verb

Lala, which has since weakened into a tropical storm and is moving away from Hawaii, brought a remarkable two to three feet of rain to parts of the Big Island, where the steep terrain and mountains enhanced precipitation.

— Ben Noll, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2026
At West Ham, Fernandes enhanced his reputation as a player who can not only drive his team forward but also play a key role out of possession, defending on the front foot.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of enhanced

Verb

The plan is for vertical series that have heightened genre concepts and richer world building, while sticking to the snappy, emotionally intense and hook-led style of many current microdramas.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
At this moment, the kids from the childcare program are released into the sanctuary, their excitement at seeing their parents and hearing the shofar only heightened by whatever has made all of their mouths blue.

— Risa Polansky Shiman, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of heightened

Verb

His football endurance might still be coming along; his football instincts might still be creeping back; his contact-balance is still a skill that needs to be strengthened after years of atrophy.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2026
Presuming there is a feeling of letting Iraola assess the squad during the first season to earmark potential positions that need to be strengthened.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of strengthened

Browse Nearby Words

stepped out

stepped up

steppes

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“Stepped up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20up. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of stepped up

verb

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