beefed (up)

verb

past tense of beef (up)
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

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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)
  1. strengthened
  2. intensified
  3. hardened
  4. heightened
  5. enhanced
  6. deepened
Verb
  • With more housing near transit comes less reliance on cars, more pedestrian-friendly development, cleaner air and strengthened commercial corridors.
    — Bennett Lawson, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The programme’s delivery schedule was strengthened earlier this year through a contractual amendment between Fincantieri and OCCAR.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of strengthened
Verb
  • Regulatory activity around the project has intensified rapidly in recent weeks.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
  • While the aerial war has intensified in recent months, fighting along the roughly 1,250-kilometer front line snaking through northern, eastern and southern Ukraine has been virtually deadlocked.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of intensified
Verb
  • The skepticism hardened as the Ellisons made several controversial moves after Skydance acquired Paramount last summer.
    — Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Gently Scrape It Off Once the wax has fully hardened, use a dull tool, like as a butter knife or hard plastic spatula, to gently lift it off the fabric.
    — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of hardened
Verb
  • The problem of longevity possesses philosophical and practical contradictions, now heightened by the gradual disappearance of artists of Serra’s generation and the uncertain posthumous legacy of their work.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Poland’s prime minister warns Russia may target countries supporting Ukraine with hybrid attacks, while new drone explosions have heightened local fears.
    — Claudia Ciobanu, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of heightened
Verb
  • Adding a splash of gin and squeeze of lemon only enhanced the flavour.
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The lightweight, summery feel of the collection was further enhanced by crochet pieces, with the technique finding its way also in the brand’s My Pepita shoulder bags.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of enhanced
Verb
  • Retail sales slowed further, and the urban investment slump deepened in August, while industrial output rebounded on the back of exports.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
  • They mystery deepened when co-host Craig Melvin acknowledged Roker’s absence with little elaboration.
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of deepened
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

beefed
beefed (up)
beefing
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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 5 Oct. 2026.

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