1
as in strengthened
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 intensified
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 beefed (up)
Verb
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The council then strengthened the language to prohibit the sale of any kratom to anyone under 21, mirroring similar language recently passed in Kansas City, according to Lee’s Summit Development Services Director Tracy Albers.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026 -
The Penguins strengthened their hold on second in the Metropolitan Division by blitzing the Panthers during the first half of the second period, pouring in four goals in less than 10 minutes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Their experience is raw material, and, for crew members, the passion and memories attached to this raw material are intensified by relations of class and power.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The federal government intensified efforts to expand family detention indefinitely by motioning to terminate a cornerstone policy ensuring the protection of immigrant children in federal custody.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the darkened foyer, Ember contemplated this unassuming bit of paper, momentarily paralyzed by a mixture of dread and excitement stirred together, an overpowering sensation that oozed from the crown of her head, down the length of her body, then hardened, like a soft golden resin becoming solid.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The songs on the album also represent durability and strength, hardened by the turmoil one may experience in their 20s.—
Jake Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The incident comes after a string of similar nighttime attacks in Belgium, Britain and the Netherlands that have heightened concerns over antisemitism in the wake of the war in the Middle East.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The change — included in contract revisions the City Commission approved in February — is the latest example of the city bending on its requirements to move the project forward as the anticipation around the stadium heightened.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At the Smart Works capsule collection launch in 2019, Meghan enhanced the look with gold accessories and brown heels.—
Katherine J Igoe,
InStyle,
3 Apr. 2026
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Microsoft, whose stock sunk 23% in the first quarter, has ramped up spending on data centers for cloud customers such as OpenAI, and investors are seeking signs that products enhanced with AI models will boost revenue and profitability.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But no Attorney General in history has caused more damage to the department itself—damage that promises to long outlast Bondi’s tenure, and to be deepened, not repaired, by whoever is chosen to succeed her.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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Shadows deepened from brown and green and slate orange to a full, final black.—
Kate Crane,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Beefed (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beefed%20%28up%29. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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