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beef (up)

verb

Definition of beef (up)next
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)
  1. strengthen
  2. intensify
  3. enhance
  4. heighten
  5. deepen
Verb
  • The National Weather Service said Tropical Storm Nolo would likely strengthen before closing in on the Big Island on Friday or Saturday.
    — MEGAN JANETSKY, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The company said the project is intended to strengthen its position in Europe’s automotive and electric mobility supply chain.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of strengthen
Verb
  • Global diplomacy takes center stage in New York this week, highlighted by talks between the US and Chinese leaders, even as global conflict looks set to intensify.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The victory improved Texas to 3-0, but this season's challenge will intensify next week when the Longhorns open Southeastern Conference play.
    — Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of intensify
Verb
  • Enduring principles can be enhanced by the essential replenishment of ideas — notions that might seem to contradict but that also sure can live in harmony.
    — Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The project is designed to improve reliability, reduce maintenance requirements, enhance worker safety, and extend the facility’s operational life.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of enhance
Verb
  • Behind the scenes, former Pentagon officials described a rush to strike the deals that raised concerns about due diligence, which were heightened when a deal with rare earths startup Reelement faltered.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Whether these stories are fictional or heightened for comic effect is irrelevant; Simmons-Patterson’s conversational delivery and sly smile are so magnetic that audiences want to spend time in his universe either way.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of heighten
Verb
  • In an interview conducted Friday by The Associated Press from outside Iran, Mohammadi said Iranians are grappling with multiple crises stemming from the ongoing war and deepening economic pressure.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
  • In an interview conducted Friday by The Associated Press from outside Iran, Mohammadi said that Iranians are grappling with multiple crises stemming from the ongoing war and deepening economic pressure, and the brutal crackdowns on protests.
    — Amir-Hussein Radjy, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of deepen
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.

Browse Nearby Words

beefs (up)
beef (up)
beefy
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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 25 Sep. 2026.

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