muscle-bound

adjective

Definition of muscle-boundnext
as in muscular

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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 muscle-bound But their skeletons seemed peculiar—stocky and muscle-bound, with mashups of features seen in various groups of modern-day mammals. — Steve Brusatte, Scientific American, 1 June 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muscle-bound
  1. muscular
  2. athletic
  3. powerful
  4. sinewy
  5. burly
  6. mighty
  7. strapping
  8. beefy
Adjective
  • The sport also includes jumping and physical loading that benefits bone density and muscular strength.
    — Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 14 July 2026
  • Lagree’s Megaformer, introduced in the early 2000s, has two sliding platforms and was built for higher-intensity work that develops muscular endurance.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of muscular
Adjective
  • The most prominent position that UM’s athletic department has filled in the portal has been quarterback, with Cam Ward, Carson Beck and now Darian Mensah signed to big-money deals the past three years.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • Even the urologist’s office has athletic jerseys hanging in the treatment room so that men’s masculinity will not be assailed.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 July 2026
Definition of athletic
Adjective
  • The twist is that she’s already attached to Reynolds (Ben Foster), who looks like a dweeb — but is, in fact, an extremely wealthy and powerful drug kingpin.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 July 2026
  • Ruemmler is the latest prominent figure called before the House Oversight Committee as lawmakers investigate the network of powerful people connected with Epstein.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 July 2026
Definition of powerful
Adjective
  • The swimmers looked like swimmers—sinewy and long, with huge hands and feet.
    — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
  • At the center of it all is Brent Charles’ sinewy Caius Martius Coriolanus, who runs through the play like a human scythe.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of sinewy
Adjective
  • 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
Definition of burly
Adjective
  • Small but mighty, Franklin Regional creates a connected learning journey that supports students from their earliest years through graduation.
    — Tiffany Thenor, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • According to the ancient Greeks, a mighty serpent called Ophion incubated an enormous egg that hatched into the universe and all its inhabitants.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Definition of mighty
Adjective
  • Ser Duncan the Tall, is a strapping but awkward young man with little confidence and few skills.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Henney is best known for playing the strapping and heroic Special Agent Matt Simmons on Criminal Minds.
    — Hoda Mallone, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of strapping
Adjective
  • 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
  • Bands perform as the peaceful crowd saunters, with the visual entertainment of beefy men cooking barbecue on giant grills.
    — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of beefy

Browse Nearby Words

muscle
muscle-bound
muscle car
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Cite this Entry

“Muscle-bound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muscle-bound. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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