BEEF UP

Pronunciation (US): (GB):

Meaning:

Make strong or stronger

Example:

strengthen the relations between the two countries

Synonyms:

beef up; fortify; strengthen

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "beef up" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Cause:

strengthen (gain strength)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "beef up"):

vitalise; vitalize (make more lively or vigorous)

ruggedise; ruggedize (produce in a version designed to withstand rough usage)

substantiate (solidify, firm, or strengthen)

restrengthen (make strong again)

brace up; undergird (make secure underneath)

confirm (make more firm)

buttress (make stronger or defensible)

brace; stabilise; stabilize; steady (support or hold steady and make steadfast, with or as if with a brace)

batten (secure with battens)

batten; batten down; secure (furnish with battens)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something