1
as in strengthens
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 intensifies
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 beefs (up)
Verb
-
Much of the Bahamas are expected to be soaked — with six to twelve inches of rain in the heaviest spots near the northwest — and be swept by winds of 45 mph and up as the depression strengthens into Tropical Storm Imelda as early as today.—
Alex Harris
Updated September 28,
Miami Herald,
28 Sep. 2025 -
Rooted in the land-grant tradition, the UA System expands access to academic, practical, and professional opportunities, fosters intellectual growth and student success, promotes discovery and public service, and strengthens Arkansas's economy, health, and culture.—
Ryan Anderson,
Arkansas Online,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Among those who are allergic, adults are generally considered at higher risk of a potentially life-threatening reaction, because the allergy intensifies the more times the person has been stung throughout their life.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Kansas City Star,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Venus outshines the star by a factor of 120 to 1, and yet their proximity for several mornings intensifies the contrasting yellow-white of the planet and bluish white of the star.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Heme iron is more bioavailable (easier to absorb) than nonheme, but combining them enhances the absorption, and both forms contribute to your daily intake, says Moon.—
Kristine Thomason,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Since 2013, Romana has specialized in advanced restorative and cosmetic dentistry that corrects or restores or enhances smiles.—
Shawn Price,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When a partner continually feels trapped behind excuses or counterattacks, the original frustration then hardens into resentment.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
But as Beijing hardens its ties with Russia, North Korea and other nations unfriendly to the West, the emergence of two camps and the contest between them appears clearer than ever.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The fact that the Brazilian athlete is age 50 only heightens the challenge, which will take place at the Centro Administrativo Fernando Ferrari — a nearly 89-meter building in his homeland’s city of Porto Alegre.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, the essence of Mars in Scorpio sharpens your focus and heightens your passion around career matters.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Yet Harjo deepens his conflict, between the personal and the communal, with every episode.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Toki Black keeps that Hakushu malt core and the Yamazaki sherry cask influence, but deepens the recipe.—
Gina Pace,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 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
“Beefs (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beefs%20%28up%29. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share