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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The ruling strengthened the regional government’s position in a dispute that has fueled weeks of protests ahead of next month’s assembly elections.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026 -
The network has been expanded, strengthened, and stress-tested so police, fire, EMS, and federal agencies can communicate if an emergency occurs.—
Edward F. Davis,
Boston Herald,
7 June 2026
Verb
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But inconsistencies between location data and statements Brian Hooker made to investigators have intensified scrutiny on the circumstances surrounding her disappearance, a US official familiar with the criminal investigation told CNN.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
6 June 2026
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The United States has also intensified pressure on Iran by enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports, citing Tehran’s threats to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor for global oil and natural gas exports.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2026
Verb
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Vegas has had a more challenging path to the final and might be more playoff-hardened at the moment.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
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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
Verb
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Beijing is widely seen to be wary of that program, which has traditionally heightened American focus on the region and risks instability that could impact China, which shares a border with North Korea.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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The deadly attack comes as tensions between Palestinians and Israeli settlers have heightened after Israeli troops shot at a car in the West Bank over the weekend, killing a 7-month-old baby.—
Robert Blankenship,
The Washington Examiner,
7 June 2026
Verb
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What Doremus has done though, is to make his own thing with a similar concept, a film greatly enhanced by the lilting presence of Clarke, who is wonderful in this role(s), showing us the glory of fate, and its price.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
5 June 2026
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The tank has been enhanced as part of a beautification of the island.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2026
Verb
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The company has also deepened ties with major technology players including Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, even as competition intensifies across the AI industry.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 June 2026
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The rampage, blamed on a man from the Arab town of Taybeh, deepened tensions after settler violence and a Palestinian baby’s killing in the West Bank.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 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 12 Jun. 2026.
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