1
as in strengthening
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 intensifying
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 beefing (up)
Verb
-
This movement combines adductor strengthening on one side with stretching on the other.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025 -
Meanwhile, Humberto has become a hurricane northeast of the northern Leeward Islands and is forecast to continue strengthening.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Another storm called Opong is now intensifying in the Philippines in the aftermath of Ragasa and the typhoon season still has many months left.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Israel's military campaign in Gaza has only shown signs of intensifying over recent months, and efforts to negotiate a peace appear all but stalled.—
Shannon K. Kingston,
ABC News,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Options for intervention range from monitoring the person or hardening a target like a school, Amman said, or, in more extreme cases, invoking red flag laws or involuntarily committing someone.—
Ian Berry,
CNN Money,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Wilson’s absolutist rhetoric makes nuanced immigration reform harder by alienating potential allies and hardening opposition.—
Letters to the Editor,
Oc Register,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Far from descending into deepening partisan divisions, Taiwan may be moving toward a new political equilibrium.—
PHILIP H. GORDON,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Sep. 2025
-
How the Grammy winner is deepening his Nashville connection.—
Sandy Mazza,
Nashville Tennessean,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Now, the multi-billion-dollar brand is bringing its signature silhouette-enhancing styles into the world of performance and women’s sports.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
24 Sep. 2025
-
For one thing, food packages nutrition with fats, enhancing absorption.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Our ability to love is expanding and heightening.—
Lisa Stardust,
Refinery29,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The Hill’s Niall Stanage writes that the shocking killing of Kirk is heightening fears over the nation’s path.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Kurt's key takeaways Apple Watch is stepping up in a big way.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
With China stepping up military activity near the island, fears are rising that tensions could spiral into conflict, right on their doorstep.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
24 Aug. 2025
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
“Beefing (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beefing%20%28up%29. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share