1
as in to strengthen
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 to intensify
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 beef (up)
Verb
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Moreover, such an action risks preventing favorable conditions for a historic dialogue between the governments of the two countries, which are both united by a desire to disarm Hezbollah and strengthen Lebanon’s state capacities.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026 -
Dallas police said in a statement the funding would strengthen security operations and bolster the department’s ability to protect residents and visitors as North Texas prepares for millions of soccer fans.—
Chase Rogers,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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If so, that would intensify the competition between him and last year's portal addition Jordan Shaw, as the duo aims to replace Tyreek Chappell after his eligibility expires.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
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The sun, wind, noise, boat vibration and motion can intensify the effects of alcohol and drugs which can quickly impair coordination, judgment and reaction time.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There are eight valid reasons to rename a street, including honoring a person and enhancing a neighborhood through the association of a street name with its location, area characteristics, and history.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
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But that 34-day war only further enhanced Hezbollah’s position in Lebanon as a powerful armed militia, operating outside of government reach while at the same time — particularly since 2008 – actually being part of the government and having effective control over it.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Recent gas line strikes heighten concern The incident comes just two days after two separate natural gas line strikes elsewhere in Lake Dallas triggered major closures and evacuations near City Hall.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
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Mutual success has only heightened tensions between Microsoft and OpenAI, whose partnership helped kickstart the AI boom.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As mentioned previously, KU’s woes only deepened in the second half.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2026
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Neighbors brace for impact If the crisis deepens, aid groups say the most likely destinations for refugees are Iran’s borders with Iraq and Turkey, which stretch roughly 2,200 kilometers (1,367 miles) through rough alpine terrain that is home to many Kurdish communities and are difficult to police.—
Sam McNeil,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Beef (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beef%20%28up%29. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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