muscular
adjective
mus·cu·lar
ˈmə-skyə-lər 
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
Examples of muscular in a Sentence
He has a muscular physique.
His legs are very muscular.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ford’s pitch for the new hybrid F-150 model remains focused on what the hybrid can do—muscular truck stuff—with a better fuel economy than the gas-only model rather than saving the planet.
—
Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 13 Sep. 2023
The new leadership of the muscular union has taken a more combative tone with both automakers and Democrats than its predecessors, withholding its traditional early-days endorsement of the party’s White House incumbent.
—Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 13 Sep. 2023
Our muscular star, Our many-jointed sphere, our electric arm:
All shaking and snapping through five cycles
Of sweat and blizzard, each wobbly turn
A summons.
—John Lee Clark, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023
Not averse to the panoramic spectacle inherent in desert crossings or infinite expanses of ocean, though never overly prettifying Seydou’s ordeals either, Paolo Carnera’s muscular, color-rich lensing is in line with Garrone’s straightforwardly soulful storytelling.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 6 Sep. 2023
Athletic: For men with muscular thighs, athletic-fit jeans are designed to accommodate your strapping quads while still accentuating your calves—without forcing you to cut back on leg days.
—Maverick Li, Men's Health, 22 Aug. 2023
China’s growing global clout and rapid expansion of its maritime commercial operations over the past decade has led to a more muscular approach to security on the seas, experts say.
—Brad Lendon, CNN, 2 Sep. 2023
But admirers of the director’s high-intensity, muscular filmmaking will not go unrewarded.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Aug. 2023
Gould started showing off his muscular physique around the same time that the show was winding down, making some long-time viewers feel very, very old indeed.
—Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 30 Aug. 2023
See More
Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 13 Sep. 2023
The new leadership of the muscular union has taken a more combative tone with both automakers and Democrats than its predecessors, withholding its traditional early-days endorsement of the party’s White House incumbent.
—Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 13 Sep. 2023
Our muscular star, Our many-jointed sphere, our electric arm:
All shaking and snapping through five cycles
Of sweat and blizzard, each wobbly turn
A summons.
—John Lee Clark, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023
Not averse to the panoramic spectacle inherent in desert crossings or infinite expanses of ocean, though never overly prettifying Seydou’s ordeals either, Paolo Carnera’s muscular, color-rich lensing is in line with Garrone’s straightforwardly soulful storytelling.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 6 Sep. 2023
Athletic: For men with muscular thighs, athletic-fit jeans are designed to accommodate your strapping quads while still accentuating your calves—without forcing you to cut back on leg days.
—Maverick Li, Men's Health, 22 Aug. 2023
China’s growing global clout and rapid expansion of its maritime commercial operations over the past decade has led to a more muscular approach to security on the seas, experts say.
—Brad Lendon, CNN, 2 Sep. 2023
But admirers of the director’s high-intensity, muscular filmmaking will not go unrewarded.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Aug. 2023
Gould started showing off his muscular physique around the same time that the show was winding down, making some long-time viewers feel very, very old indeed.
—Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 30 Aug. 2023
See More
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
Phrases Containing muscular
Dictionary Entries Near muscular
Cite this Entry
“Muscular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muscular. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
muscular
adjective
mus·cu·lar
ˈməs-kyə-lər
1
a
: of, relating to, or being muscle
b
: performed by the muscles
2
: having well-developed muscles : strong
Medical Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on muscular
Nglish: Translation of muscular for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of muscular for Arabic Speakers
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