stepped-up
Americanadjective
Etymology
Origin of stepped-up
First recorded in 1900–05
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Guterres called for stepped-up diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful solution and said his personal envoy, Jean Arnault, was travelling to the region to support them.
From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026
Theories to explain the historic drop range from an influx of federal funding to stepped-up police enforcement, along with longer-term societal shifts, like reduced alcohol consumption and increased time spent alone.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026
Iran has stepped-up its attacks in and around the Strait of Hormuz, effectively shutting the world’s most important energy transport route.
From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026
Police departments across the region have pointed to a pattern of speeding, red light violations, and minors riding illegal electric motorcycles, and several cities have responded with new ordinances and stepped-up enforcement.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026
We'll merely continue with a stepped-up synaptic check.
From We're Friends, Now by Varga, Mel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
