1
as in power
muscular strength
I'm going to need someone with real muscle to help me move all this furniture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strength
the ability to exert effort for the accomplishment of a task
at the time the military lacked the muscle to fight two wars at once
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to force
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
he was muscled out of command by his opponents at military headquarters
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 muscle
Emma Loewe, Outside, 26 Feb. 2026
Short for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, a TENS machine typically relies on adhesive skin pads that channel low-voltage current to zap muscles and deep tissue.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 26 Feb. 2026
Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Held is in good company at Goldman Sachs, where former pros are muscling their distinct skill sets to succeed in new careers.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for muscle
Noun
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with bone health issues, weak muscles, cardiovascular disease, and depression.
—Emma Loewe, Outside, 26 Feb. 2026
Short for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, a TENS machine typically relies on adhesive skin pads that channel low-voltage current to zap muscles and deep tissue.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
An example of this is shown below as Radu Dragusin looks to carry the ball out of defence, but is muscled off it thanks to Gyokeres’ suffocating pressure and intense work rate.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Held is in good company at Goldman Sachs, where former pros are muscling their distinct skill sets to succeed in new careers.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for muscle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muscle
Noun
-
From Demna’s star-studded, dramatic first Gucci show to a bold Fendi debut from Maria Grazia Chiuri, with Uma Thurman and Monica Bellucci front row, and even a Madonna cameo at Dolce & Gabbana, this season in Milan packed plenty of celebrity power.—
Lucy Maguire,
Vogue,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The central issue in Learning Resources--the authority of presidents to usurp congressional powers--would have never arisen, there would have been no court ruling or case to now discuss, if Republicans in Congress had defended their legislative authority from the outset.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Gone are the days when stars seemed to go from strength to strength — when Tom Hanks, for instance, followed Philadelphia with Forrest Gump, and Forrest Gump with Apollo 13, and Apollo 13 with Toy Story.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Like the single-leg stand, the sit-to-stand can also help test leg strength and endurance.—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the Senate GOP is not united on forcing Democrats to commit to a talking filibuster to pass the voter ID bill.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
But in the new series, Kayce’s serenity has been brutally shattered, forcing him to find a new path forward after an unimaginable tragedy.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As a deputy was putting crime scene tape up at the second shooting location, the suspect drove up and hit him, pushing the deputy about 40 feet, the sheriff's office said in a news release.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The party’s flirtation with economic populism could serve to push away some of the remaining conservative doctors operating private practices.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The city says it doesn’t get involved in beefs between neighbors.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Well in a Tagine Tagines are remarkably versatile and can be prepared with lamb, chicken, beef, fish, or simply vegetables.—
Bridget Shirvell,
Martha Stewart,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The institute will consolidate Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s (ORNL) broad expertise in energy technologies, computing, grid science, and cybersecurity to develop next-generation infrastructure that is secure, efficient, and reliable.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Feb. 2026
-
In these cases, a few medications can improve symptoms such as fatigue, pain, depression, and low energy.—
Doru Paul,
Verywell Health,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In 2022, a woman who was 38 weeks pregnant in the Vermilion County Jail objected when officials attempted to coerce her into scheduling an induction, according to the ACLU of Illinois.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
-
While this is a possibility, there is a major problem—the same weapons and training that can be used to protect citizens can also be used to coerce and prey upon them.—
Abigail R. Hall,
Oc Register,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Before that, the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act that passed in January 2025 was already squeezing Social Security, CRFB said.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Video shows the women squeezing through the window and screaming obscenities at the people inside, while tossing food, beverages and packaging.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
28 Feb. 2026
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Cite this Entry
“Muscle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muscle. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
