step up vs increase

step up is not a noun while increase is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
step up	No	No	Yes	No
increase	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, increase is a hypernym of step up; that is, increase is a word with a broader meaning than step up:

As verbs, increase is a hypernym of step up; that is, increase is a word with a broader meaning than step up:

step up (noun)	increase (noun)
	the act of increasing something
	the amount by which something increases
	a change resulting in an increase
	a process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important
	a quantity that is added

step up (verb)	increase (verb)
increase in extent or intensity	become bigger or greater in amount
speed up	make bigger or more
make oneself visible; take action