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
  • Auction houses are strengthening authentication through specialist research and archives, but online sales remain a particular risk.
    — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Officials will discuss strengthening Iran-Iraq relations, border security, economic cooperation and counterterrorism, among other topics, the broadcaster IRIB reported.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of strengthening
Verb
  • Summary Major League Baseball's push for a salary cap is intensifying, fueled by recent record-breaking franchise sales.
    — Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Getting ahead in the burgeoning industry could also boost China’s standing in the intensifying competition with the US on artificial intelligence and advanced technology.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of intensifying
Verb
  • These rules manifest as algorithms, AI models, platforms, technological infrastructure and social convention, hardening through use into the conditions of cultural life.
    — Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The state needs to have programs to help incentivize and help subsidize these hazard mitigation measures and home hardening measures.
    — John Ramos, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of hardening
Verb
  • Hair growth or voice deepening that appears suddenly or progresses rapidly may warrant prompt medical attention.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Google reportedly plans to move its smartphone supply chain outside of China by next year, the latest sign of a deepening tech decoupling as tensions mount between Washington and Beijing.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of deepening
Verb
  • The stakes are high, with victory on the track bringing in prize money and enhancing the team’s attractiveness to sponsors like Petronas and Microsoft.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Louisiana became the first to pass a film tax incentive, enhancing it in 2002; New Mexico and Georgia followed with their own programs.
    — Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of enhancing
Verb
  • Gradually, the story’s impact started to affect Eckert, with every passing day heightening the scrutiny.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Today, the moon continues its journey through its domicile, Cancer, heightening everything from our intuition to our innermost feelings — memories from the past and emotional sensitivities are no exception.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of heightening
Verb
  • Ethiopia, South Africa, Morocco and Nigeria have been stepping up efforts to localize manufacturing of equipment for solar power, from module assembly to more advanced manufacturing, according to industry experts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • As parts of Puerto Rico face a record-breaking drought and no running water, a South Florida company is stepping up to offer help by sending machines capable of turning air into water.
    — Manuel Bojorquez, CBS News, 8 Aug. 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.

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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 23 Aug. 2026.

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