STEP-UP Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

step up 1 of 2

verb

Definition of step up

as in to intensify

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

step-up

2 of 2

noun

ˈstep-ˌəp

as in increase

something added (as by growth) there's been a step-up in productivity since regular breaks were offered

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 step up

Verb

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 And BlackRock is stepping up its investments and hiring in the region, Semafor reported. — Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Noun

These exercises included marching in place, stair step-ups, and fast bodyweight squats, all of which could be performed at home with no equipment and without dedicating a large block of time. — Jennifer Klump, Verywell Health, 12 June 2026 The federal estate tax was effectively repealed for those who died in 2010 as a result of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, although executors could elect to apply the estate tax rules to take advantage of the step-up in basis which would have otherwise been lost. — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for step up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for step up

Verb

Moscow and Kyiv have intensified their aerial assaults as progress along the 750-mile front line has largely ground to a halt.

— HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Another major challenge is intensifying domestic competition and labor shortages as Japan’s birth rate declines and its population ages, Nagai said.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of intensify

Noun

Related Articles After three straight years of organic sales losses, the company returned to the right side of the balance sheet, reporting increases in both net sales and profitability and clearly signaling a turning of the tides.

— Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
India accounted for more than half of the increase in the region’s rights fees since 2021, and 64% of all fees is now concentrated in the 12 most valuable rights packages.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of increase

Verb

Additionally, existing chains are likely to respond by upgrading facilities, expanding loyalty perks and enhancing prepared food options.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2026
The military exemption in South Korea also applies to classical and traditional musicians, dancers and other artists who are viewed as enhancing national pride.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of enhance

Noun

Confidence has been given a boost as reports said exports from the Middle East – excluding Iran – were pushing back towards pre-war levels.

— Frank Andrews, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
Illinois offers a 35 percent credit for qualified in-state production spending, plus an additional 5 percent on resident wages outside the Chicago area (Wood River qualifies for that boost) and a further 5 percent for certified green productions.

— Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of boost

Verb

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Vietnamese President To Lam met in Canberra last month, pledging to deepen their partnership on issues like defense and trade.

— Shibani Mahtani, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026
What’s more, its growth runway could widen materially as the Huntsville, Alabama, company deepens its relationships with disruptive defense innovator Anduril Industries and space-launch leader SpaceX .

— Harvey Stober, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of deepen

Verb

Interest is heightened when royal stories cover Princess Diana, who was one of the most famous women in the world, with people fascinated by her life.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Whimsical, feminine interiors wrapped in custom murals by English artist and designer Luke Edward Hall heighten the sense of theatricality, as does the build-your-own sundae trolley.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of heighten

Noun

In 2021, Estate Yountville was purchased by Boardwalk Investments Yountville, LLC, and revamped with interior and exterior updates, including the addition of century-old olive trees.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
Having just worked together on Taylor’s Patient Zero music video, perhaps the vampish Dakota’s influence is behind the addition of leather and lace to Swift’s after-dark oufits?

— Olivia Allen, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of addition

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steps up

step up

step-up

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Style

“Step up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20up. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of step up

verb

noun

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