STEPS UP Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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Recent Examples of steps up This year, Macy’s stages its 100th Thanksgiving Day Parade, and also steps up its Mission Every One charitable initiative supporting Ronald McDonald House, Blue Star Families and Foster Love. — David Moin, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026 If no one steps up, the loudest voices fill the gap, allowing fear to become the organizing principle. — Bob Pearson, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 This comes as the sovereign wealth fund, launched by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in 2025, steps up as a stabilizer for the country’s stock market, currently under scrutiny from global index providers like MSCI. — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for steps up

Verb

The aluminum model enhances the tactile experience with the cool sensation of metal rather than plastic.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026
This non-precious Ni/Co heterostructure electrode enhances performance and lowers costs in alkaline water electrolysis.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of enhances

Verb

That heightens the stakes for chairman Warsh, who has expressed a preference for fewer words at a time when investors may prefer clearer communication.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of heightens

Verb

The dispute unfolds as Russia intensifies attacks across Ukraine and as Kyiv presses Western allies for more interceptors, while new diplomatic efforts seek to end the war.

— Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
If the war with Iran intensifies again, foreign executives will be reluctant to even visit Saudi Arabia, let alone invest in it.

— Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of intensifies

Verb

As Carson and Rapp’s search for Henry deepens, Yaga cuts a jagged (though, at this point, well-trod by shows like Hulu’s Furious or even Netflix’s East of Eden) path through themes of wealth, male entitlement, female rage and the purpose of myth.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026
The split further deepens among male drinkers to 53 percent to 23 percent in favor of beer.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of deepens

Browse Nearby Words

steps out

steps up

step up

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“Steps up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steps%20up. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of steps up

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