brawny

adjective

ˈbrȯ-nē How to pronounce brawny (audio)
Definition of brawnynext
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

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 brawny The comparison suggests Mexican winemaking is a monolith and that its offerings mimic Napa’s brawny fruit-forward wines—two deeply misguided assumptions. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 June 2026 In its first return to theaters since the female-forward phenomenon, the El Segundo toymaker is turning to the brawny He-Man for another box-office lift. — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026 He gets reacquainted 15 years later with his Sword of Power along with childhood chum Teela (Camila Mendes), who’s brainier and brawnier than the majority of the guys, and his former Man-at-Arms Duncan (Idris Elba), the former protector of Adam’s family. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 3 June 2026 Yet once Adam is fully in command of his sword, so to speak, and subjected to a brawny He-Man makeover that at least spares him the lank bowl cut of the original model, things get rather less spry. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for brawny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brawny
  1. muscular
  2. athletic
  3. strong
  4. powerful
  5. rugged
  6. burly
  7. mighty
  8. beefy
Adjective
  • The sense of doom freed them to push hard into a rich new pop direction, filling Sound of Lies with songs that were deeply felt and sometimes dark amid the muscular pop hooks.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Years later, while O’Brien was developing Rocky Horror, the two ran into each other outside a London gym where O’Brien had been scouting muscular men for the show.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of muscular
Adjective
  • California permits students to participate in athletic teams and in competitions that match their gender, regardless of what gender is listed on their records.
    — Paris Barraza, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Driveways, sidewalks, parking areas, swimming pools, athletic courts, terraces and other hard surfaces count, too.
    — Luisa Yanez Updated September 3, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of athletic
Adjective
  • The latest forecast predicts the center will pass roughly 115 to 150 miles west of Kauai, close enough that any additional eastward shifts in the track could bring stronger winds and greater impacts, particularly to Kauai, the hurricane center said.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Design delivers low noise and vibration levels The new Elegance Pod is being developed with a strong focus on total system efficiency.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of strong
Adjective
  • Bonnell has previously shown the larger 902, which is expected to become the more powerful flagship of the company's e-Moto range.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
  • This quietly powerful exploration of familial bonds across generations is a story of finding hope and the importance of a home.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of powerful
Adjective
  • Plus, its rugged IPX7 waterproof casing easily withstands rain, spills, and outdoor grime, while the 5,200mAh battery delivers a full 24 hours of non-stop playback.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Great for more rugged adventures, like hiking through wet terrain or rainy days, the men’s Clifton 9 GTX is waterproof and features the brand’s comfortable Gore-Tex fit.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of rugged
Adjective
  • Emmett Doyle is a burly and bearded union carpenter and musician in Minneapolis who writes and performs folk music about the struggles of the working class.
    — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • This burly and battle-tested Chaminade-Madonna offensive line is led by three-star 6-foot-5 guard Devon Munnings, who is committed to Liberty.
    — Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of burly
Adjective
  • Even in the early 1990s, one of Ferrari’s most unsuccessful periods of form in F1, when its cars lapped two seconds slower than the then-mighty McLaren or Williams teams, the home grand prix would still carry an extra weight.
    — Luke Smith, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Travelers can spend a few weeks following the entire route or easily choose a section to experience the historic river towns, scenic overlooks, wildlife refuges, and communities built along the mighty Mississippi.
    — Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of mighty
Adjective
  • Both the Grand Canyon and ML-T previously traded out the original 2021 floating auxiliary front roof lights for a beefier front light bar during a 2024 refresh.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Despite their physical size and heft, the beefy BFGs ride beautifully.
    — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of beefy

Browse Nearby Words

brawniness
brawny
bray
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Cite this Entry

“Brawny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brawny. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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