muscle 1 of 2

noun

ˈmə-səl How to pronounce muscle (audio)
Definition of musclenext
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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

muscle

2 of 2

verb

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
2
as in to push
to force one's way muscling straight through the packed crowd of people waiting to board the ship

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Noun
There is no question that testosterone replacement therapy can increase muscle mass, libido, and in some cases may result in changes in mood and behavior that some men find appealing. — Alexander P. Cole, STAT, 18 July 2026 His official cause of death was cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle, per the suit. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026
Verb
For now, however, investors are likely breathing a collective sigh of relief, after muscling through an anxious first half that included major geopolitical conflicts, and tremors around the potential for AI disruption. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 26 June 2026 The 6-foot-1 Courtney has even muscled up more. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for muscle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muscle
  1. power
  2. strength
  3. force
  4. push
  5. beef
  6. energy
  7. coerce
  8. squeeze
Noun
  • Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Saudi Arabia reported raising alarms or fending off Iranian attacks, as Kuwait said another power and water desalination plant was hit.
    — Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
  • The strikes injured several people at the oil facility and caused a fire at the desalination plant, forcing several power generation units offline.
    — Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 18 July 2026
Definition of power
Noun
  • But in recent years, women have used motherhood as a strength, returning to their careers faster — and oftentimes better.
    — PJ Green July 24, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
  • The 6-foot-2, 326-pounder will add some size and strength to the Penn State defensive line this year.
    — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of strength
Verb
  • Flair then turned her attention to Cargill and hit a big boot, forcing the disqualification.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • Funding challenges have forced the closure of re-entry homes like the one at Charlotte’s McLeod Center and the shuttering of re-entry organizations like Redirection-NC as well as local reentry councils across the state.
    — Amber Gaudet July 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
Definition of force
Verb
  • Paredes didn’t listen, electing instead to push Eric Garcia in the throat.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Argentina pushed for an equalizer late but couldn’t find the net.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
Definition of push
Noun
  • However, there are other meat and filling options like beef, pork and potatoes.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026
  • Eventually, Armstrong stepped in to try and personally ease tensions, offering himself as Caneer’s direct point of contact and paying a peace visit to Caneer’s home in Pebble Beach bearing a gift basket of beef jerky, olive oil and wine.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of beef
Noun
  • Launch safety, orbital debris, broadband access, AI model conduct, content moderation, data use and energy consumption belong to different industry materiality maps.
    — Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • Even so, the impact she’s already made with her experience, energy and depth has been evident.
    — Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of energy
Verb
  • Researchers found that staff pressured and coerced those held there into abandoning immigration claims and accepting removal to third countries if they could not be sent back to their own country.
    — Michael Biesecker, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
  • That’s one thing; ballplayers love nothing more than throwing around large sums of money to coerce normal humans to do unspeakable tasks.
    — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of coerce
Verb
  • Barbara Rainey, a Cherry resident of 76 years, said a school bus hit her cousin’s car while trying to squeeze between vehicles parked on either side.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
  • Tournament football isn’t generally conducive to pressing, with so many matches squeezed into such a short window, and without the cohesion that comes from club sides training together for months.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of squeeze

Browse Nearby Words

murrains
muscle
muscle-bound
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Cite this Entry

“Muscle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muscle. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on muscle

Nglish: Translation of muscle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about muscle

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