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Glite Dictionary
beefed-up

beefed-up

5 4.6
Stronger or bigger so it works better
  • adjective
  • /ˈbiːft ʌp/
  • Informal
translation icon : reforzado
  • Unfortunately, most of the, if not all of the designs that are out there right now are really just beefed up wind turbines.

You drop down to being Apple's silicon now and you're seeing this Ultra in a basically like beefed up Mac mini.

Examples

  • Irvine, CA—Officials with the Juniper Credit Card announced this week that the company has beefed up its benefit package for all of its users.

    Blog text (28)

  • They beefed up security in Tripoli because that's where most of the violence had been occurring.

    Blog text (28)

  • But the plan was rejected by the White House and the Pentagon, which complained about the additional resources a beefed-up ISAF would require.

    Academic text (2002)

  • The Deepsea Challenge is essentially a beefed-up Submariner Deepsea watch (originally released in 2008).

    Blog text (5)

  • The Avalon's suspension has also been beefed up with thicker anti-sway bars and stiffer springs for greater ride control.

    Blog text (8)

  • In October, ESS planners submitted a beefed-up case for the project, focusing on the scientific uses of neutrons and their complementarity with other investigative techniques.

    Academic text (2002)

  • Some suggest the role actually needs to be beefed up, for there to be more centralized authority in the Anglican Communion, so that there's someone there to clamp down on dissent.

    Blog text (4)

  • The current dispute over peacemaking usually centers on whether U.N. resources should be beefed up to deal with certain situations—typically civil conflicts that hover precariously.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Security measures will be beefed-up at universities all around the country to ensure student safety.

  • Military personnel were recalled from furlough, and security was beefed-up at key installations to prevent potential threats.

Synonyms

reinforced
vsbeefed-up
1 3.7

Made stronger by adding extra parts or support

is general increase in strength or effectiveness not limited to added material
strengthened
vsbeefed-up
3.0

Has extra support to make it stronger

is broader, covering increases in size, force, or overall effectiveness
intensified
vsbeefed-up
4.2

Made stronger or more serious

is broader, including size and effectiveness increases not only intensity
augmented
vsbeefed-up
5.2

Made larger or stronger by adding something

is wider, also covering greater force or overall effectiveness beyond simple addition
increased
vsbeefed-up
1.0

Larger or more than before

focuses more on added strength or effectiveness rather than size alone
raised
vsbeefed-up
2.7

Higher than the usual amount or level

is about making something stronger or more effective rather than just above usual level

Antonyms

weakened
2.7

Not as strong or effective

diminished
  • Specialized
4.4

Smaller in size, strength or importance

How Strong

supercharged
  • Specialized
4 5.8
fortified
5.1
reinforced
1 3.7
beefed-up
  • Informal
5 4.6
enhanced
1 3.7
to bolster
4 4.8

Surface Forms

beefed-up positive

Morphology

beefed-up = beef up (transparent) = beef + up + ed

Formed by adding the regular past-participial suffix '-ed' to the verb phrase 'beef up'; the resulting adjective clearly means 'made stronger' or 'increased'.

Etymology

The word beefed-up comes from the idea of adding beef — something meaty and strong — and the small word up meaning 'more' or 'increase'. So, a beefed-up thing is made bigger, stronger, or more effective.