1
as in to strengthen
to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force
beefed up the walls with iron bars
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to intensify
to make markedly greater in measure or degree
will beef up security for the next few days while the president is in town
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beef (up)
Verb
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Ross Wilson, the sporting director who arrived in October, is keen to further strengthen the youth sides by complementing local talent with signings from the UK and across the world.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2025 -
World’s first 16-ton drone mothership People’s Daily reported that the Jetank platform is designed to strengthen China’s low-altitude economy, a government initiative aimed at expanding civilian air services and accelerating innovation along the aviation industrial chain.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
At the same time, the pace of technological change is accelerating, and global competition is intensifying.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
-
As supporters continued singing, waving flags and celebrating into the evening, anticipation for the match only intensified.—
J.M. Banks
June 15,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Rainy weather driving tips Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
-
California has a goal to enhance road safety, and lawmakers are interested in potentially curtailing dangerous vehicle sizes.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Pandemic-era school disruption, the rise of social media, and heightened political tension have all collided during their formative years—leaving many struggling with focus, stress, and mental health challenges.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
11 Dec. 2025
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The steep offshore trench and complex plate interactions in the region also heighten the risk of tsunamis generated by undersea seismic activity.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
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While some consumers will point to the system working, others will refer to this incident as a cause for deepening anxieties that food is both too expensive and too unreliable.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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Any firm attempt to secure the peace, in other words, would only deepen the war.—
Simon Shuster,
Time,
19 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Beef (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beef%20%28up%29. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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