beef up

phrasal verb

beefed up; beefing up; beefs up
informal
: to add weight, strength, or power to (something)
Security around the city will be beefed up during the event.
a politician looking to beef his image up

Examples of beef up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The channel has had to beef up its newsgathering across politics, foreign policy and investigations, and has supplemented that with partnerships, including with Sky News for international coverage. Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025 Like many law enforcement agencies since 9/11, the CBP has substantially beefed up its equipment with military-style weaponry and aircraft, including a fleet of Black Hawk helicopters and Predator drones. Andy Rose 19 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025 In this bleak economic environment, professionals who have lost their jobs as a result of AI are likely pondering what their next career move should be; whether to transition into a new industry or profession, or how to beef up their arsenal of skills. Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025 The Cowboys, who beefed up a struggling defense with former Jets star Quinnen Williams on Tuesday, are on a bye this week. Mark Osborne, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for beef up

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beef up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beef%20up. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on beef up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!