1
as in athletic
marked by a well-developed musculature
Olympic runners tend to have very muscular legs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strong
having muscles capable of exerting great physical force
a muscular superhero who can easily lift a ton or more
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in rich
having an abundance of some characteristic quality (as flavor)
a muscular red wine that goes especially well with beef
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Flick felt the squad lacked depth when Lewandowski suffered a muscular injury during the decisive final months of the campaign.
—
Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 20 June 2025
To work on muscular endurance, do little arm circles.
—Jessica Dulong, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
Haim’s songs blend the rollicking chemistry of Fleetwood Mac, the muscular femininity of Heart, and the mystic cheesiness of Phil Collins (with a smattering of new-jack-swing sparkle).
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 20 June 2025
But de Armas is a magnetic presence with all the right moves, and Wiseman’s muscular direction — along with DP Romain Lacourbas’ sleek visuals and an unrelenting pace that never lets up on the violence for long — makes for mindless summer action entertainment with a lot of style.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for muscular
Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 20 June 2025
To work on muscular endurance, do little arm circles.
—Jessica Dulong, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
Haim’s songs blend the rollicking chemistry of Fleetwood Mac, the muscular femininity of Heart, and the mystic cheesiness of Phil Collins (with a smattering of new-jack-swing sparkle).
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 20 June 2025
But de Armas is a magnetic presence with all the right moves, and Wiseman’s muscular direction — along with DP Romain Lacourbas’ sleek visuals and an unrelenting pace that never lets up on the violence for long — makes for mindless summer action entertainment with a lot of style.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for muscular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muscular
Adjective
-
Besides her athletic achievements, track and field fans love Fraser-Pryce for a variety of other reasons.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
-
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel and other officials were also added to the lawsuit in federal court in Detroit.—
Ed White,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.—
National Geographic,
National Geographic,
13 Jan. 2023
-
According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.—
Elliot Hughes,
Journal Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
But the Cubs and Yankees will likely be much more aggressive in pursuing him than the Brewers will.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 June 2025
-
Cross-examination of the victims’ two surviving roommates will likely be aggressive, especially of Dylan Mortensen.—
Jean Casarez,
CNN Money,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
Established in 1893, the thick of the Gilded Age, Montford boasts a rich tapestry of architectural styles, featuring everything from grand Victorian homes to intricate Arts and Crafts designs, many of which are now bed and breakfasts.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
29 June 2025
-
The comparatively negligible impact of the billionaire's wedding bill on his total wealth highlights the vast and growing gap between the world's richest individuals and the average American worker.—
Daniel Orton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
Her sinewy voice lends the song an effortlessly cool vibe, one perfect for the warm days ahead.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
9 June 2025
-
My legs: muscular during my years of playing varsity soccer and basketball and running track; long and sinewy in my later adult life; milky-pale every winter, yet sunburned often and easily in the summer.—
Laura Neilson,
Vogue,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
This collection is a powerful vindication for those of us who have been wearing shorts almost all through the fashion weeks this season.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
27 June 2025
-
The impact of this powerful novel is heightened by Golden Voice narrator Nicholas Boulton’s keen understanding of its author’s purposes.—
AudioFile Magazine
June 27,
Literary Hub,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
This vine, while beautiful, is a vigorous grower that spreads by self-seeding, layering, and runners.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
28 June 2025
-
No better example of this can be found than in the absence of debate in the contemporary U.S. about the treatment of the Palestinians by the Israelis, whatever outcome such vigorous discussion might produce.—
James L. Gibson,
The Conversation,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Desktop Specialist is a fast entry point; the Data Analyst certification builds on it with more robust tools for visual analytics.—
Dr. Aviva Legatt,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
-
The original film was very light in the production sound (i.e., foley effects); this is pretty robust.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Muscular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muscular. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share