1
as in strengthened
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 intensified
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 beefed (up)
Verb
-
This would, among other things, give a new direction to the relationship with the United States, creating new opportunities that benefit Colombia…Under our administration, the relationship with the United States would be strengthened and revitalized.—
Armando Regil Velasco,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026 -
Twenty-five years later, their creative synergy has only strengthened.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Clashes intensified this weekend as police with riot shields and officers on horseback pushed back demonstrators, some of whom tore down barricades, hurled objects and set tires ablaze outside the 1,000-bed facility.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
At the same time, recovery from the Palisades and Eaton fires, which destroyed more than 16,000 structures, has further intensified frustrations around rebuilding, insurance costs and the city government’s response to crises.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Once the seedlings have been hardened off, dig holes deep enough to plant the seedlings up to the first set of true leaves.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
27 May 2026
-
The mood concerning Carrick hardened in a positive way after United won at Chelsea on April 18, five days after the Leeds defeat.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
The dangers faced by health workers have been heightened by anger among residents over the stringent medical protocols for handling the victims’ bodies, which clash with local burial rites.—
Justin Kabumba,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
The dangers faced by health workers have been heightened by anger among residents over the stringent medical protocols for handling the victims' bodies, which clash with local burial rites.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Upgraded features include enhanced on-and-off loading, including the ability for families to roll strollers directly into the glass cabin with ease.—
Carly Caramanna,
Travel + Leisure,
29 May 2026
-
The study examined 518 manager-subordinate relationships and found that this leadership approach enhanced both employee thriving and performance through stronger positive job attitudes.—
Mary Hemphill,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Global economic outlook worsens over Iran war The US and Iran appeared still willing to reach a peace deal despite American strikes and Tehran’s threats of reprisals — but the global economic fallout from the conflict deepened.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 May 2026
-
Tensions deepened Thursday in Lebanon as Israel conducted an airstrike on a southern suburb of the capital, Beirut, and other strikes in the southern coastal city of Tyre.—
Matthew Lee,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Beefed (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beefed%20%28up%29. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
