BURLY Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

burly

adjective

ˈbər-lē

Definition of burly

as in athletic

strongly and heavily built a burly delivery man brought the furniture

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 burly Though his onscreen appearances are brief, Momoa’s face looks fierce superimposed over a burly green body with pointed fangs and sharp claws. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 30 July 2026 My new friend is a mountain of a man — over 6-foot-6 and burly. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 29 July 2026 The boy was burly and had a remarkable strength and energy that stayed throughout his life, only faltering in the very last throes of death. — Literary Hub, 20 July 2026 Morocco’s burly defender Issa Diop was nearly on top of him, but Mbappé didn’t give him time to challenge. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for burly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for burly

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

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

Tyler, after a brief recovery period, returned to the recording studio with a huskier, edgier voice.

— Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
The extravagant, hi-NRG single showcased the breadth of Tyler’s husky grandeur, which proved a perfect fit for Giorgio Moroder.

— Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 9 July 2026

Definition of husky

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

As a neo-New Wave guy with a heartland jones and drama-king chops, Flowers isn’t bad cosplaying his heroes, even if his brawny rock-opera vocal approach is a bit short on the conversational warmth that makes for truly memorable country singing.

— Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Starship will be key to building and maintaining this constellation, which will require many launches of the brawny, fully reusable rocket.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of brawny

Adjective

The hulking, three-story gray concrete structure is the width of a city block, with entrances on Tobias Avenue and Van Nuys Boulevard.

— Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Caan had excelled in his screen test for the film and was slated to play Michael Corleone opposite the hulking Carmine Caridi as Sonny Corleone (Coppola had offered him the role in a bar).

— Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of hulking

Adjective

Trailing by 20 points in the third quarter, the Carroll Dragons (1-1) were doomed by the Panthers’ stout defense that claimed five takeaways.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026
On offense, that means pounding the rock with a stout run game and letting that set up the passing attack.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of stout

Browse Nearby Words

burliness

burly

burn

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“Burly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burly. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of burly

adjective

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