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
-
In 2025, state legislators strengthened that law by adding additional protections.—
Karen Brown,
NPR,
17 Apr. 2026 -
Her approach reflects a belief that leadership is strengthened through curiosity, adaptability and persistence.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As unmanned systems have become increasingly central to modern ground warfare, militaries and defense researchers have intensified efforts to develop wireless charging and in-flight power delivery technologies.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, the federal government’s crackdown on immigration and state limits on how many hours seasonal foreign workers with H2A visas can work have intensified agricultural labor uncertainty.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But their hearts were hardened.—
Letters to the Editor,
Washington Post,
24 Apr. 2026
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The judges also said the district court’s ruling violated a 1996 federal law that hardened immigration enforcement and restricted judicial power on immigration.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The stakes of all those efforts will be heightened during the approaching midterm elections.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, Riley’s anxiety was heightened when her garden gate was recently damaged by someone.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The series’ earnestly naïve sound design (horses neighing, cars revving) only enhanced my appreciation of Joudrey’s sophisticated storytelling.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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The contract provides raises and enhanced health benefits, among other things.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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By 1998, as the family drama deepened, the absence of the mother character became conspicuous.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The shooting ambush deepened his sympathies for them.—
Gary Fields,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
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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 26 Apr. 2026.
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