beef up

1 to increase the ability of (as a muscle) to exert physical force beefed up the walls with iron bars Synonyms of beef up strengthen (up), fortify, harden, toughenWords Related to beef up anneal, temper; firm (up), tone (up); energize, invigorate, vitalize; restrengthenNear Antonyms of beef up cripple, incapacitate, paralyze; damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure; break down, wear out; sap, undercut, undermineAntonyms of beef up debilitate, enervate, enfeeble, weaken

2 to make markedly greater in measure or degree will beef up security for the next few days while the president is in town Synonyms of beef up accentuate, amp (up), amplify, intensify (up), boost, consolidate, deepen, enhance, heighten, magnify, redouble, step up, strengthenWords Related to beef up broaden, enlarge, expand, extend, lengthen; accelerate, hasten, quicken; emphasize, point (up), sharpen, stress; augment, enforce, reinforce (also reenforce), restrengthen, supplement; maximize; enliven, jazz (up); aggravate, exacerbateNear Antonyms of beef up decrease, diminish, lessen, let up (on), reduce, subdue, tone (down), weaken; dwindle, recede, subside, taper (off), wane; alleviate, ease, lightenAntonyms of beef up abate, moderate