sinewy

adjective

sin·​ewy ˈsin-yə-wē How to pronounce sinewy (audio)
 also  ˈsi-nə-
1
: full of sinews: such as
a
: tough, stringy
sinewy meat
b
: strong
sinewy arms
2
: marked by the strength of sinews
a demanding sinewy intelligenceHelen Dudar

Examples of sinewy in a Sentence

The lion has a sinewy body. a sinewy piece of meat
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Occasionally, Brown, who makes mesmerizing, lovelorn music under the name Nourished by Time, is a serenader reaching for the style of Jodeci or SWV—sinewy, solicitous, but alien underneath the ad-libbing. Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2025 Once neighbors had amassed a pile of larger items, one of the camp's earliest residents, a sinewy man in his 50s named Tom Rock, walked over and began helping to lift them into the dumpster. Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 26 July 2025 The infected familiar from the original virus strain are now sinewy figures wandering the land, feral and naked, their clothes having disintegrated long ago. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025 Her sinewy voice lends the song an effortlessly cool vibe, one perfect for the warm days ahead. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sinewy

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sinewy was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sinewy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sinewy. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

sinewy

adjective
sin·​ewy ˈsin-yə-wē How to pronounce sinewy (audio)
 also  ˈsin-ə-
1
: full of sinews : stringy
sinewy meat
2
: strong sense 1
sinewy arms

More from Merriam-Webster on sinewy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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