steps up

verb

present tense third-person singular of step up
as in enhances
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 steps up Dyson is famous for its sleek and powerful devices, and the V8 steps up to the cleaning plate to keep proving its reputation right. — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 1 Oct. 2026 Ramaphosa announced that soldiers would be deployed to support police in tackling gang violence, as the government steps up its fight against criminal syndicates. — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026 The star of ‘Ripley’ and ‘All of Us Strangers’ star steps up in a performance of emotional depth as Ian Charleson, the Scottish actor who took on Hamlet at the end of his life. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 For occasions like a proposal that require a little more pomp and circumstance, Cameron steps up his fragrance game with a Ralph Lauren cologne. — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026 The shift comes as Beijing steps up scrutiny of wealth held outside mainland China. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 If Lofton lives up to his potential — and either freshman Gavin Mueller or Israel Briggs steps up as a secondary option — this group will outplay its grade. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026 Hot Fuss simultaneously steps up on three other, similar rosters. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 The way her seven-piece band and two backup singers are positioned on a platform with just a couple of steps up or down recalls some of the pop-soul bandstands of yore. — Chris Willman, Variety, 17 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steps up
  1. enhances
  2. heightens
  3. intensifies
  4. deepens
  5. strengthens
Verb
  • The 20% off everything Fall Design Event also includes brand favorites, such as the Baywood quilt, which features a hand-pick stitching pattern that enhances its tactile quality.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The monitor's Black Equalizer feature ensures that even the darkest shadows are visible, and HDR10 enhances highlights for eye-popping color.
    — George Yang, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of enhances
Verb
  • Call it transcendental, the character’s deepening sense of luminosity, the way his empathy heightens as his consciousness expands.
    — David L. Ulin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The diamond-set is further enhanced by the two cultured pearls, with a design that heightens sculpture and lightness.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of heightens
Verb
  • The disclosure intensifies criticism of officials who dismissed concerns about sailors’ conditions as the administration offers no clear timeline for ending the war.
    — Ben Finley, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of intensifies
Verb
  • Sigurd’s departure only deepens this cynicism, which Livia clings to for 27 years — until the pair reconnect on the phone for a truly excruciating conversation.
    — Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 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 deepens
Verb
  • The question is whether an exclusive relationship strengthens the business without restricting its ability to grow beyond it.
    — Sanjay Ghare, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The brand’s core technology, NIA 114, strengthens the skin barrier and boosts the performance of other active ingredients.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of strengthens

Browse Nearby Words

steps out
steps up
step up
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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