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
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Has anyone else got any hope, especially as Chelsea are strengthened by the return of Sam Kerr from injury, the signing of Ellie Carpenter from OL Lyonnes and Alyssa Thompson set to join too?—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025 -
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Kiko, further west off Mexico's coast, strengthened to Hurricane Kiko in the Pacific.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The vocal outcries of small groups of readers on social media were intensified by polarization and algorithm amplification.—
Kevin Dickinson,
Big Think,
2 Sep. 2025
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These rumors intensified after he was not seen in public for several days in August, though he has since been spotted playing golf.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kim and his influential sister, Korean Workers' Party Publicity and Information Department Deputy Director Kim Yo Jong, have only hardened their rhetoric against South Korea in recent years, and the North Korean ruler has simultaneously doubled down on nuclear development.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Aug. 2025
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By the time the true story of Pearl Jam’s name emerged, the story of Grandma Pearl’s hallucinogenic jam had already hardened into fact for most people.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The drama was further heightened by Texas Republican leaders’ calls to track down, fire, or arrest the quorum-breakers.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
2 Sep. 2025
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But this has only heightened Beijing’s suspicion of backdoors and surveillance, prompting some Chinese firms to abandon American chips altogether.—
Craig S. Smith,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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According to the statement, with the backing of PAI, Marcolin has broadened its international reach and enhanced operational efficiency, reinforcing itself as a leading player in the wholesale eyewear market.—
Thomas Waller,
Footwear News,
5 Sep. 2025
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There will be enhanced medical and sports science areas.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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These factors deepened the disaster’s impacts and elongated the recovery process.—
Manann Donoghoe,
Time,
28 Aug. 2025
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Moscow and Beijing have deepened their military ties in recent years by conducting joint exercises and patrols, with the most recent naval maneuvers held earlier this month in the Pacific.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Beefed (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beefed%20%28up%29. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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