Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Governments worldwide have been stepping up their efforts to invest in the technology and position themselves at the forefront of a coming technological revolution.
From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2025
ICE operations have been stepping up across Chicagoland in recent weeks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2025
The deputy first minister said they had highlighted how Scottish energy companies "have been stepping up" with similar compensation for customers.
From BBC ● Jan. 27, 2025
Crypto promoters have been stepping up their lobbying in Washington; crypto firms spent nearly $20 million on lobbying in the first nine months of 2023, according to the watchdog group Open Secrets.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 10, 2024
Say, that team must have been stepping right along.
From The Boy Ranchers on Roaring River or Diamond X and the Chinese Smugglers by Howard L. (Howard Livingston) Hastings
