muscular

adjective

mus·​cu·​lar ˈmə-skyə-lər How to pronounce muscular (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or constituting muscle
b
: of, relating to, or performed by the muscles
2
: having well-developed musculature
3
a
: of or relating to physical strength : brawny
b
: having strength of expression or character : vigorous
muscular prose
c
: characterized by forcefulness or resolve
muscular foreign policy
d
: full-bodied
muscular wines
muscularity noun
muscularly adverb

Examples of muscular in a Sentence

He has a muscular physique. His legs are very muscular.
Recent Examples on the Web Learn more about chin-ups, including how to build muscular strength to do them. Jacqueline Andriakos, Health, 13 Mar. 2024 Although the best gags, involving some adorable but violence-loving bunnies, have been playing on a loop in the teaser trailers, the film still manages to combine muscular action with a healthy dollop of comedy, much of it having to do with Po’s posse and his seemingly unquenchable appetite. Brian Lowry, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 Their strategic alliance is a muscular example of what Catalant calls Consulting 2.0. Jon Younger, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Windsor sophomore Evan Perez, Mead senior Dalton Berg and Roosevelt senior Bronco Hartson, all with a chance to win gold, form a powerful, muscular trio that’s saltier than a Bavarian pretzel. Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2024 The new profile gives an already stylish vehicle an even more muscular air. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2024 The full-size luxury sedan, which is the oldest nameplate on this list, is commanding, muscular, and sophisticated in equal measure. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 Feb. 2024 Despite its severity, SPS is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to its rarity and the broad range of its symptoms, which can resemble those of other neurological and muscular disorders. Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 That’s a 60% increase from the 60W offered by its predecessor and is muscular enough to power the latest flagship MacBooks. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'muscular.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of muscular was in 1670

Dictionary Entries Near muscular

Cite this Entry

“Muscular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muscular. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

muscular

adjective
mus·​cu·​lar ˈməs-kyə-lər How to pronounce muscular (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or being muscle
b
: performed by the muscles
2
: having well-developed muscles : strong

Medical Definition

muscular

adjective
mus·​cu·​lar ˈməs-kyə-lər How to pronounce muscular (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or constituting muscle
b
: of, relating to, or performed by the muscles
2
: having well-developed musculature
muscularly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on muscular

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