stepping up

verb

present participle of step up
as in intensifying
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 stepping up This goes counter to Disney’s official stance, which is a flat denial that Covid had anything to do with one Bob stepping down and another stepping up. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026 That means the Horned Frogs’ younger receivers will be tasked with stepping up against an experienced secondary that has picked off quarterbacks four times this season. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Sep. 2026 The series — which serves as the final category for young drivers before stepping up to F1 and is owned by the F1 organization and sanctioned by the FIA — last introduced a new car in 2024. — Luke Smith, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026 Post Malone had some help with his proposal to stylist Christy Lee, with Angel City Jewelers stepping up to the plate to craft the perfect luxury engagement ring for the singer-rapper’s bride-to-be. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026 At a moment when Washington is retreating from its responsibilities, New York is stepping up for vulnerable immigrant children. — Meena Shah, New York Daily News, 23 Aug. 2026 Ethiopia, South Africa, Morocco and Nigeria have been stepping up efforts to localize manufacturing of equipment for solar power, from module assembly to more advanced manufacturing, according to industry experts. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026 As parts of Puerto Rico face a record-breaking drought and no running water, a South Florida company is stepping up to offer help by sending machines capable of turning air into water. — Manuel Bojorquez, CBS News, 8 Aug. 2026 Second-year edge rusher Collin Oliver showed promise with strong plays, stepping up in Micah Parsons' absence. — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepping up
  1. intensifying
  2. deepening
  3. enhancing
  4. heightening
  5. strengthening
Verb
  • DeepSeek's decision to open up to external funding was seen as a sign of AI's ballooning capital demand and mounting pressure to retain talent amid intensifying competition.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Why Security Is Becoming Structural, Not Optional AI’s cyber risk is also intensifying.
    — Girish Joshi, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of intensifying
Verb
  • Poor provenance leads to weak training assumptions, brittle behavior, eroded trust, more friction and slower deployment, with each turn deepening the problem rather than correcting it.
    — Richard Clough, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Washington must avoid worsening its own demographic problems through the kind of self-defeating policies that are deepening China’s struggle.
    — Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of deepening
Verb
  • There could be uses in agriculture as well, for selectively enhancing edible parts of plants, Theriot said.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Sisters Beste and Merve Manastır are enhancing their brand’s refined minimalism through an increasing attention to materials, craftsmanship and details such as more elevated hardware and stitching.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of enhancing
Verb
  • Telecom providers — SpaceX moved to boost its Starlink Mobile service , heightening competition concerns around legacy telecom carriers.
    — Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Related Stories Of course, the Kings have long had a keen eye for distilling and (just barely) heightening the absurdities of modern life.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of heightening
Verb
  • In his candidacy announcement, Jackson said his priorities include strengthening public safety and the city’s economy.
    — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • This was on top of cutting the cost of doing business, and strengthening supply chains.
    — Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of strengthening

Browse Nearby Words

stepping out
stepping up
steps
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stepping up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping%20up. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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