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
  • The Bills are also coming off a Monday night overtime game, strengthening the home underdog’s case.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Florida is living proof that protecting the preborn and strengthening families is both possible and popular.
    — Kimberly Bird, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of strengthening
Verb
  • The move comes amid intensifying geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing, with artificial intelligence emerging as a key battleground in the two countries' race for technological dominance.
    — Jenny Lee,Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Researchers found Stage 3 CTE, intensifying concerns about brain trauma in racing.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of intensifying
Verb
  • The result, DiStefano said, is homeowners who spend tens of thousands of dollars hardening their houses and still get non-renewed.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Allen says homeowners who spend money hardening their properties, including making homes more resistant to wildfires, should receive meaningful benefits from insurers for lowering their risk.
    — Kenny Choi, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of hardening
Verb
  • There are indications that some of the Central Asian nations present, all of which are post-Soviet states, are deepening diplomatic and economic links with Washington.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Rahman’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party took power following the popular ouster in 2024 of autocratic former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whom India granted sanctuary, deepening the rift between the neighbors.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of deepening
Verb
  • The finishing touch should be a shine-enhancing hair gloss to blend the blonde tones seamlessly into the brunette strands.
    — Jacqueline Kilikita, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The initiative was part of the retailer’s aim to support new talents and its increasing focus on enhancing its brand awareness globally.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of enhancing
Verb
  • The inflation report, which comes two weeks before the central bank’s next meeting and three weeks before Election Day, is heightening concerns about the Iran war’s effect on the cost of goods beyond food and energy.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Telecom providers — SpaceX moved to boost its Starlink Mobile service , heightening competition concerns around legacy telecom carriers.
    — Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of heightening
Verb
  • House Speaker Mike Johnson traveled to Stockton on Wednesday to campaign for Republican Kevin Lincoln, stepping up GOP efforts to reclaim California's 13th Congressional District less than two weeks before the 2026 midterm election.
    — Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Part of Comcast’s growth initiatives involve stepping up its push into wireless services and business services.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 22 Oct. 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 24 Oct. 2026.

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