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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of muscle
Cynthia Sass, Health, 6 Oct. 2025
With three intensities for both kneading and air compression settings, this massager can relieve sore muscles and soothe aches on the spot.
—Emma Ashe, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Oct. 2025
Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
But to achieve that, Republicans will first have to muscle the stopgap through the House with their razor-thin majority — overcoming internal pushback from a handful of spending hawks.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muscle
Noun
Magnesium plays a role in nerve and muscle function, keeps the heartbeat steady, and helps bones remain strong.
—Cynthia Sass, Health, 6 Oct. 2025
With three intensities for both kneading and air compression settings, this massager can relieve sore muscles and soothe aches on the spot.
—Emma Ashe, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
In the first half, the Phoenix Mercury muscled their way to a four point halftime lead, 45-41, thanks in large part to veteran player Alyssa Thomas who had 12 points and Satou Sabally who had 14.
—Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
But to achieve that, Republicans will first have to muscle the stopgap through the House with their razor-thin majority — overcoming internal pushback from a handful of spending hawks.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muscle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muscle
Noun
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This is a sister organization to the Heritage Foundation, the think tank behind Project 2025—a sweeping conservative policy blueprint aimed at reshaping the federal government by expanding presidential power, dismantling parts of the civil service, and rolling back regulations across agencies.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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Additional revelations hint of Kiri's evolving powers, the menacing Quaritch bonding with Varang to help defeat the Na'vi, a spectacular air/sea clash between the Ash People, the RDA, and the Na’vi, and Spider threatening to kill someone offscreen.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Linebacker Zaire Franklin could not care less about the Colts’ strength of schedule.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Another important strength of the category may look at first like a contradiction.—
Rebecca Ackermann,
The Atlantic,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Lawrence attempted to go over the pile on a fourth-down snap from the 1-yard line, but Bolton greeted him there, slapping the ball away and forcing a fumble inches before the ball reached the line.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
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But the shot contest forced Sarr to leave the restricted area and gave Mitchell Robinson an easy path for a putback.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Oct. 2025
-
For Rick Neuheisel, the moment was enough to push him over the edge emotionally.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Chicago news media pointed out the United Center cancellation came amid an ongoing beef between NBA YoungBoy and local rapper Lil Durk.—
Brian McCollum,
Freep.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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Try the salmon tart, foie gras terrine, or kampachi crudo as an appetizer but save room for beef short rib Wellington, Japanese Kobe, American wagyu, or Australian wagyu steaks.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
His big, bright smile, infectious energy and eternal positivity created a presence that continually uplifted others.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Oct. 2025
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But sure enough, the artist born Frederick John Philip Gibson enlisted Amy Taylor and company for his drum n’ bass-inflected latest single, harnessing the group’s energy and then exploding it with Gesaffelstein-like sirens and typically all-over-the-place vocal triggers.—
Andrew Unterberger,
Billboard,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The judge cited testimony from another former girlfriend, Jane, who said Combs later assaulted her and coerced her into oral sex with an escort.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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Questioning earlier medical evidence that the victims suffered brain injuries, the assessment also relied on a controversial study by the National Institutes of Health that was later shut down after an internal review confirmed some patients were coerced to participate.—
Nora Gamez Torres,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Reds squeezed into the third wild-card slot for their first playoff appearance in five years.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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Some people who have bought homes in the last few years feel squeezed by monthly payments that leave little cash left over.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
29 Sep. 2025
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 7 Oct. 2025.
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