beefs (up)

verb

present tense third-person singular of beef (up)
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

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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)
  1. strengthens
  2. intensifies
  3. hardens
  4. enhances
  5. heightens
  6. deepens
Verb
  • Personalized recognition builds trust, strengthens belonging and creates cultures where people choose to do their best work.
    — Candy Fernandez, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The additional crew also strengthens Folsom’s ability to work with neighboring agencies, including the El Dorado Hills Fire Department and Cal Fire, on wildfires and other major incidents, Lawlor said.
    — Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of strengthens
Verb
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pressed the delegation and European advisors for Patriot air defenses, a winter support package and long-term security guarantees as Russia intensifies drone strikes across Ukrainian cities.
    — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The Grand Canyon’s vast, mile-deep landscape may appear timeless, but two devastating disasters have recently struck the iconic natural wonder as the climate crisis intensifies extreme weather.
    — Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of intensifies
Verb
  • This buildup, called plaque, narrows and hardens the arteries, causing health problems.
    — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Oil prices are ticking up, as Iran hardens its stance over control of the Strait of Hormuz and other demands to end the war, dashing hopes for a quick deal to reopen the waterway.
    — Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of hardens
Verb
  • Most of us love the ways technology enhances our connection with family, friends and colleagues in ways once unimaginable.
    — Nadine Hack, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Adding water inside the aluminum eggs further enhances the armor’s performance.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of enhances
Verb
  • Cinematographer Kim Ji-yong’s camera never intrudes, lending grace and honesty to the character studies, while Jung Jae-il’s ravishing piano and string score heightens the emotions without becoming manipulative.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026
  • With a hot war raging in Ukraine, these journalists don’t want to ask for anyone’s sympathy, which in turn heightens their alienation and frustration.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of heightens
Verb
  • The measure targets Central Valley and Central Coast lands facing strict groundwater pumping limits, offering a lifeline for growers as climate change deepens droughts.
    — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • This is the rare prequel that deepens and complicates the world of the original — and the rare lower-budget sequel that manages to look and sound great years later.
    — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of deepens
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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Cite this Entry

“Beefs (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beefs%20%28up%29. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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