muscular

adjective

ˈmə-skyə-lər How to pronounce muscular (audio)
Definition of muscularnext
1
as in athletic
marked by a well-developed musculature Olympic runners tend to have very muscular legs

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2
as in strong
having muscles capable of exerting great physical force a muscular superhero who can easily lift a ton or more

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3
as in aggressive
marked by or uttered with forcefulness a presidential speech that promises to be a muscular enunciation of the nation's foreign policy

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4
as in rich
having an abundance of some characteristic quality (as flavor) a muscular red wine that goes especially well with beef

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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 muscular This helps decrease muscular activity by 10% compared to a standard mouse without any negative impact to performance. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 16 July 2026 The newfound longevity of elite soccer players has been made possible by advances in sports medicine, diet and analytics that measure everything from biomechanics and heart rate to muscular output and sleep cycles, all in real time. — Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026 There are some broad-brush moments in the dialogue, yes, but even these are applied with a muscular flourish. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026 For the role, O’Connor had to develop his racket skills and a more muscular physique, splitting time between the tennis court and the gym. — Nick Tabor, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for muscular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muscular
  1. athletic
  2. strong
  3. aggressive
  4. rich
  5. sinewy
  6. powerful
  7. vigorous
  8. robust
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
  • After a strong start to the tournament, the reigning champions teetered on the brink of elimination throughout the knockout stage, trailing Egypt and England until the closing stages, needing extra time to overcome Cape Verde and Switzerland.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • The incoming prime minister grew up in the northwest of England, a part of the country where the Catholic Church has traditionally had a strong presence, and his outlook has been shaped by Catholic teaching.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Definition of strong
Adjective
  • In March, a group of major medical organizations, including the AHA and the American College of Cardiology, released new guidelines urging more aggressive treatment of cholesterol.
    — Anne Thompson, NBC news, 16 July 2026
  • His team is curious about the fuel effects of acceleration and aggressive driving and other air pollutants that might increase with speeding.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 16 July 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • Researchers have found the diet, which is full of fiber-rich plants and lean proteins, can improve heart health and longevity.
    — Anahad O’Connor, Washington Post, 16 July 2026
  • This is a spoiled, privileged, rich girl who should be on MTV’s My Super Sweet 16 instead of Bravo.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 16 July 2026
Definition of rich
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
  • 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
  • Nolan advances his vision, however crowd-pleasing and anachronistic, with vigorous confidence and unimpeachable clarity.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
  • Especially in containers and hanging baskets, regular fertilizing is essential for keeping petunias blooming and vigorous all summer long.
    — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026
Definition of vigorous
Adjective
  • Over 10 years, the risk was 78% higher, although the data was not as robust.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • Expectations for price increases on iPhones and other Apple devices will also likely affect the company’s ability to build out its robust user base, hurting its services vertical, Vinh added.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 14 July 2026
Definition of robust

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muscling
muscular
muscularity
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Cite this Entry

“Muscular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muscular. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on muscular

Nglish: Translation of muscular for Spanish Speakers

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