beefing (up)

verb

present participle of beef (up)
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

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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)
  1. strengthening
  2. intensifying
  3. hardening
  4. deepening
  5. enhancing
  6. heightening
  7. stepping up
Verb
  • Philippine officials credit the transparency strategy with garnering international support for the Philippines and strengthening its military alliances.
    — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • On the council, Raman gave the DSA some of its biggest policy wins, strengthening renter protections and passing a significant reform to the city’s rent stabilization ordinance.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026
Definition of strengthening
Verb
  • Now, an intensifying war has again closed off significant access to Persian Gulf oil, reinjecting chaos into the market.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • Johnson later identified Scholten by name in subsequent posts, intensifying the controversy.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 21 July 2026
Definition of intensifying
Verb
  • An aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition involving a tear in the main artery from the heart, due in this case to what is commonly known as hardening of the arteries.
    — Duarte Dias, CBS News, 12 July 2026
  • Over time, this prevents excessive soap scum and residue from hardening on the surface.
    — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026
Definition of hardening
Verb
  • The corruption allegations and deepening political crisis in Puerto Rico have caught the attention of some federal legislators, who questioned whether federal funds are being appropriately used.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
  • Instead of closing the door on his dream, Nolan pivoted to studying English literature at University College London, a decision he has since been credited with strengthening his screenwriting and deepening his understanding of language and metaphor.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 20 July 2026
Definition of deepening
Verb
  • These policies are increasingly important for enhancing older workers’ employability as AI and technological change reshape jobs and skill requirements.
    — Runchana Pongsaparn, Fortune, 31 July 2026
  • The architecture is intended to reduce construction complexity while enhancing operational safety.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026
Definition of enhancing
Verb
  • Your celestial ruler, Venus, returns to your sign, heightening everything from your confidence and visibility to your irresistible charm.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The threat expanded on the Yemeni militant group’s call Monday to close off the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Saudi ships, heightening the risk for vessels passing through the channel.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 21 July 2026
Definition of heightening
Verb
  • Second-year edge rusher Collin Oliver showed promise with strong plays, stepping up in Micah Parsons' absence.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Cities across the Southwest are stepping up conservation efforts amid the growing crisis facing a key Colorado River reservoir straddling the Utah-Arizona border.
    — Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 26 July 2026
Definition of stepping up
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

beefing
beefing (up)
beefs
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Cite this Entry

“Beefing (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beefing%20%28up%29. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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