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
The Marine Rain Massage is an immersive treatment that releases muscle tension, calms the nervous system, and activates circulation. — Rana Good, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026 His muscles grew stronger; his predatory instincts came to the fore. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
The streaks abruptly ended when De Ketelaere muscled past Cubarsí and headed home a cross from Timothy Castagne for Belgium’s tying goal. — ABC News, 10 July 2026 Vance also appears willing to muscle Israel into accepting whatever outcome the Iran talks deliver. — Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 27 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
  • Xi came to power after the 2008 protests in Tibet and deadly unrest in Xinjiang, another frontier region of modern China where ethnic minorities have long chafed under Beijing’s rule and witnessed a huge security crackdown.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Ultimately, both sides are jockeying for power after the war, given the unusual uncertainty brought on by the change in the supreme leadership.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of power
Noun
  • For now, though, Denver appears focused on preserving Bo Nix’s favorite target for a full-strength playoff run.
    — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Jacas, whose reps have steadily increased over the week, has by no means dominated for even a stretch of practice, but flashes of excellent upper-body strength and burst off the line are there.
    — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of strength
Verb
  • In the Netherlands and neighboring Germany cargo ships that ply the Rhine and its offshoots have been forced to carry significantly less freight or risk running aground in shallow navigation channels.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The fire has also forced evacuations at Spokane’s veterans’ hospital, water reclamation facility and waste-to-energy plant, city officials said.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of force
Verb
  • The dramatic encounter saw both superstars push each other to their limits, culminating in a sense of finality for their long-standing rivalry.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • But a cheap currency also weakens Japan's purchasing power overall, pushing up costs for the imports of oil and other essential goods.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of push
Noun
  • Save time on cooking prep by picking up this cut of Angus beef that’s marinating in a sesame-teriyaki sauce, which includes soy sauce, honey, and sesame seeds.
    — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The crispy beef tacos are a perennial craving, but other unorthodox tacos tempt, too.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of beef
Noun
  • Scientists are curious about the sun's inner workings to better track massive bursts of energy called coronal mass ejections that can hurl toward Earth.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Saudi energy infrastructure has been the target of Iranian attacks, and the uncertainty over the status of the Strait of Hormuz has had a dramatic effect on the movement – and price – of oil drilled in the Middle East.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of energy
Verb
  • Anna’s colleague Noa Toussaint (CCH Pounder) follows with a video of Max coercing his mistress into suicide, shattering the narrative that bought his freedom.
    — JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026
  • Empact says there's also a growing use of artificial intelligence to extort and coerce juveniles into human trafficking.
    — James Taylor, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of coerce
Verb
  • Rising costs have hit lower-income Americans the hardest, squeezing their discretionary spending.
    — Michelle Chapman, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Missouri Republicans redrew their map to squeeze Democrats, while Virginia moved its primary from June to August for a Democratic redistricting push that courts ultimately threw out.
    — Maham Javaid, NPR, 4 Aug. 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 8 Aug. 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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