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 Waving and smiling, Aveiro, accompanied by a burly gentleman, takes a seat at a table bedecked with a bouquet of roses, ready to tuck into some cuisine from her native country. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026 Accompanied by two burly law enforcement officers and with a military-style helicopter in the background, Uthmeier declared this was the perfect spot for a detention center. — Jim Defede, CBS News, 28 June 2026 There was the 29-oz (822-g) Hyperlite Crosspeak 1, but beyond that, the heavy, burly expedition tents have stolen the spotlight. — New Atlas, 28 June 2026 The burly bureaucrat in dark slacks and a navy sweater has a scruffy beard and the frazzled look of an anonymous factotum thrust into the limelight. — Joshua Hunt, Vanity Fair, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for burly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for burly

Adjective

Kansas Athletics is on the verge of hiring an executive director for front-office strategy and operations, KU athletic director Travis Goff told The Star on Wednesday afternoon.

— Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
And big athletic departments have avid fanbases that blanket entire regions, across gender, race, age and socioeconomic lines.

— Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of athletic

Adjective

Working with patrons Anadol counters that anyone can have free access to the models his studio develops, and that there's nothing new about contemporary artists' relationships with rich and powerful benefactors.

— Chloe Veltman, NPR, 29 July 2026
As time goes on, there will surely be more supporters – particularly among smaller, less financially powerful member associations – of Infantino’s idea.

— Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 29 July 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

Add more butter, plenty of Parmesan cheese, and a hint of Worcestershire at the end to intensify its rich, beefy flavors.

— Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 26 July 2026
On top of the appropriately hirsute performer assuming the role of beefy antihero Kratos, the adaptation promises a god-tier ensemble cast, with the likes of Lost’s Sonya Walger and Homeland’s Mandy Patinkin joining the fray.

— Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026

Definition of beefy

Adjective

The Rays, Cleveland Guardians, Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants spent every dollar; the Houston Astros saved one mighty buck and the spend-thrift Los Angeles Dodgers kept $20.

— Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
The Royals made a mighty effort to re-sign Beltran after the 2013 season that featured Brett being in on it.

— Vahe Gregorian July 29, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026

Definition of mighty

Adjective

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
The two athletic conferences standing have schools in 26 states, a brawny bipartisan geographic and political footprint.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of brawny

Adjective

Robinson produced at least two would-be sacks, forced and recovered a fumble and was stout against the run for most of the day.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
It’s been a little more than a week since a stout, scrappy raccoon captured the internet's heart, and Jimothy mania is showing no signs of slowing down.

— Drew Pittock, USA Today, 25 July 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 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of burly

adjective

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