1
as in muscular
having muscles capable of exerting great physical force
the lithe, sinewy body of the ballet company's leading male dancer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in brawny
marked by a well-developed musculature
the sinewy arms of the weight lifter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of sinewy
The best songs here are lean and sinewy showcases for his backing band, the Dark Clouds.
—
Stephen M. Deusner,
Pitchfork,
11 Mar. 2026
The sinewy champion then cradled his wife, Presleigh, in his arm and kissed her at the front of the 18th green, along the water’s edge.
—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
Erivo enters in dark trousers and singlet, her body lean, sinewy, covered in tattoos, her head shorn, nose ringed, fingernails fiendishly extended, a vampire in waiting.
—
Demetrios Matheou,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
The steppe looks like a sinewy piece of yellow meat.
—
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sinewy
Stephen M. Deusner,
Pitchfork,
11 Mar. 2026
The sinewy champion then cradled his wife, Presleigh, in his arm and kissed her at the front of the 18th green, along the water’s edge.
—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
Erivo enters in dark trousers and singlet, her body lean, sinewy, covered in tattoos, her head shorn, nose ringed, fingernails fiendishly extended, a vampire in waiting.
—
Demetrios Matheou,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
The steppe looks like a sinewy piece of yellow meat.
—
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sinewy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sinewy
Adjective
-
Specifically more in the air and more to leftfield, given his past predilection to focus on the right side of the field, with his high-contact, low-strikeout approach that seems a contradiction to his muscular, slugger-type build.
-
Despite the fact that young women and girls had been welcomed into the organization since 2019, Hegseth seemed to want to restore an older view of Scouting and summer camps, one centered on masculine ideals of ruggedness, individuality and muscular nationalism.
Adjective
-
Projections varied in the weeks leading up to the draft with no real consensus among draft analysts, but in the last 24 hours there were strong indications the Clippers would choose Wagler and the Nets would take Brown.
-
Your desire for solitude and introspection is strong during today’s Scorpio moon.
Adjective
-
Never worry about scrubbing away stains from your pets or children again with this powerful carpet and upholstery cleaner.
-
The dynamic Sun in your 3rd House of Communication quincunxes powerful Pluto in your 10th House of Career, creating tension between daily tasks and authority.
Cite this Entry
“Sinewy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sinewy. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
