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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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 China has lately stepped up its efforts to secure rare-earth ore around the world. — Glenn Zorpette, IEEE Spectrum, 15 Oct. 2026 Under Obama, the FBI and other agencies stepped up efforts to crack down on Chinese espionage. — David S. Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026 North Korea has also stepped up weapons testing activity as its leader Kim Jong Un expands his military nuclear program while taking an increasingly hard line toward Seoul. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026 The state government has since stepped up to help keep the clinic’s small in-house pharmacy sufficiently stocked with MMR vaccines, and the timing has been critical. — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026 Russia has stepped up its attacks on Ukraine’s data centers and internet providers in recent days, seeking to disrupt the flow of information in the country. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026 While Aaron Judge is on the shelf for the entirety of this best-of-three Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox, other New York Yankees homegrown talent stepped up to take Game 1 in the Bronx on Tuesday night. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026 When Bruno Fernandes stepped up to the penalty spot on Sunday afternoon, all eyes were at first on him. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 The Marlins had reclaimed lead when Jensen stepped up in the fifth, again with Isbel on base with another hit. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped up

Verb

The whispers about their similarities intensified on the announcement of the engagement of Crown Prince Hussein, son of King Abdullah II and Queen Rania, to Rajwa in August 2022.

— Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 17 Oct. 2026
The deaths came as Indonesia intensified efforts to combat forest and land fires that have worsened this year as El Niño intensifies a prolonged dry season.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of intensified

Verb

The dining room is enhanced with wainscoting, a chair rail and large windows set off by impressive crown moldings.

— James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Food is one of the true pleasures of life, and often part of our enjoyment comes from flavors enhanced by salt.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of enhanced

Verb

Russia also faces growing costs at home from Ukraine’s long-range strikes, which have disrupted energy and commercial infrastructure and heightened public anxiety over a prolonged war.

— Eric Ciaramella, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026
Attacks in the Black Sea have also heightened fears about global food security, as Ukraine is one of the world’s largest exports of grain.

— Svitlana Vlasova, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of heightened

Verb

People reported that tensions between the brothers deepened after Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020.

— Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Abiy’s persistent calls for sovereign access to Eritrea’s Red Sea port of Assab have alarmed Eritrea and deepened the rift.

— KHALED KAZZIHA, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of deepened

Verb

Her creative expression extended beyond the runway into cultural moments that further strengthened the brand’s presence in fashion.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Erdogan’s attempt to foster an Ottoman-style pan-Islamism appears to have accelerated liberalization rather than strengthened religious conformity.

— Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of strengthened

Verb

The district attorney’s office is requesting a jury trial and the two cases are expected to be consolidated for a single trial, according to WTAE.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
That tells you that this is not consolidated at all, and there is not much vertical integration.

— Miles Socha, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of consolidated

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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of stepped up

verb

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