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
  • These questions shift technology governance from managing individual problems toward strengthening organizational adaptability.
    — Chandini Sheeba, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Eizenkot has campaigned on restoring public trust in government, strengthening Israel’s security, and preserving its foundation as a Jewish democracy.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of strengthening
Verb
  • Porsche's China sales have fallen sharply in recent years amid intensifying competition from brands such as BYD, Geely and Xiaomi.
    — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Mose, a former Norwegian judge, said the intensifying attacks as this winter approaches raise serious concerns about the threats posed to civilians.
    — Edith M. Lederer, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of intensifying
Verb
  • But hardening schools and practicing lockdown drills, among other steps to reduce school shootings, are not making young people feel safer.
    — Nina Vinik, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Residents, meanwhile, can give firefighters the best shot at stopping a potential disaster by clearing flammable vegetation in their yards and fire-hardening their homes.
    — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of hardening
Verb
  • David Roche, a veteran strategist at Quantum Strategy & Geonomics, said the Arctic's importance lies less in its potential to transform global shipping than in the deepening economic dependence between Russia and China.
    — Lee Ying Shan,Matthew Tan, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Over the weekend, political leaders from Marsabit County warned of a deepening humanitarian crisis that could overwhelm host communities already struggling with food and water shortages worsened by climate change.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 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 incidents are heightening concerns about female politicians’ safety and security in a country where lawmakers are highly accessible to the public.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • New shipping routes are opening, China is doing more trade through the Arctic region, and a Russian military buildup is also heightening security concerns.
    — Lorne Cook, Fortune, 20 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.

Browse Nearby Words

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 28 Oct. 2026.

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