1
as in muscular
having muscles capable of exerting great physical force
the store manager always asked the brawniest person there to do the heavy lifting
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sinewy
marked by a well-developed musculature
brawny arms that weren't developed in the gym but by years of work in the construction business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in athletic
strongly and heavily built
a tough little boy who's going to be a brawny man someday
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brawny
The band steadily climbed the charts in its native Australia, pairing its brawny rock with sincere and outspoken political activism.
—
Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The horn section sounds deep and crisp, punching out riffs on Kupka’s brawny bari foundation.
—Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Thanks to all that power, the brawny cruiser could sprint from zero to 60 mph in under six seconds and reach a top speed of 181 mph.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Jan. 2026
The actor Nicholas Christopher—brawny, bald, with a perpetually cocked eyebrow that brings to mind Yul Brynner—strode through the aisles of Tashkent Supermarket in Brighton Beach one afternoon.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brawny
Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The horn section sounds deep and crisp, punching out riffs on Kupka’s brawny bari foundation.
—Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Thanks to all that power, the brawny cruiser could sprint from zero to 60 mph in under six seconds and reach a top speed of 181 mph.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Jan. 2026
The actor Nicholas Christopher—brawny, bald, with a perpetually cocked eyebrow that brings to mind Yul Brynner—strode through the aisles of Tashkent Supermarket in Brighton Beach one afternoon.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brawny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brawny
Adjective
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Nile monitors possess razor-sharp claws and a lengthy muscular tail, aren’t afraid to bite or scratch humans, and can exploit practically any terrain to escape.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
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The goal is added muscular demand without distorted movement.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The downside is what could happen defensively, as Boozer might be too slow to defend athletic wings and too small to protect the rim against 7-footers.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
15 Mar. 2026
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In many cases, that push produces incredible feats of athletic performance.—
NPR,
NPR,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Boko Haram has since become stronger, with thousands of fighters and different factions, including the Islamic State West Africa Province, which is backed by the Islamic State group.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
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That kind of political intrusion does not make families safer or stronger.—
Austen Erblat,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But that 34-day war only further enhanced Hezbollah’s position in Lebanon as a powerful armed militia, operating outside of government reach while at the same time — particularly since 2008 – actually being part of the government and having effective control over it.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
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And what works for this writer are powerful hits of nostalgia, preferably from childhood, preferably in relation to football, preferably, and more specifically, to the aesthetics of football.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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See the bluebonnets against the backdrop of waterfalls and rugged terrain.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
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The neighborhood/area This is rugged Malibu—high desert‑like terrain with sweeping mountain views and no beachfront frontage.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But while the big burly dude alliance might be the strategic headline, the interesting stuff was with the women.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
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Thrusting a baby into Offerman’s burly arms works wonders to soften up Jinx (as does the actor’s vulnerable turn), and Kenny’s arc proves surprising in the right ways (save, perhaps, one late-arriving twist).—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The loss sent Venezuela to face mighty Japan in the quarterfinal.—
Maria Torres,
New York Times,
14 Mar. 2026
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Like many others in Hollywood’s once mighty workforce, Lazarcheck has had to find work outside the industry.—
Geoff Colvin,
Fortune,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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For diners who prefer a heartier cut, the 16‑ounce ribeye delivers big, beefy flavor with the satisfying char longtime fans expect.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
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There are stars far beefier than our own.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brawny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brawny. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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