MUSCULAR Synonyms: 146 Similar and Opposite Words

muscular

adjective

ˈmə-skyə-lər

Definition of muscular

as in athletic

marked by a well-developed musculature Olympic runners tend to have very muscular legs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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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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 During the height of the Rocky and Rambo franchises, the actor became known for his exceptionally muscular physique. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 26 Sep. 2026 The 2027 Silverado gets a broader, more muscular face, a new grille and redesigned LED lighting, while the bodywork has been massaged to make the truck look even more substantial. — New Atlas, 25 Sep. 2026 The back of the Torcal hints at last year’s EXP 15 Concept, while the taut and muscular haunches allude to the model’s prodigious output. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2026 There was a shaman, a muscular, compact Peruvian man with bleached hair, Buddy Holly glasses, and gigantic eyes. — Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for muscular

Recent Examples of Synonyms for muscular

Adjective

But the trifecta of excelling in distance running, swimming and the classroom is trumped by another athletic endeavor that took Thompson across the Atlantic Ocean two weeks ago.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
The Kritzer sisters get their height and athletic genes from their parents.

— Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of athletic

Adjective

All manner of contemporary art is shown here, with a collection over 200,000 pieces strong, ranging from Diane Arbus and Cindy Sherman photographs to paintings from Francis Bacon and Sol LeWitt sculptures.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
Rather than a sudden surge, the new estimate shows the population has always been strong, thriving, and secure.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of strong

Adjective

Of course, Carleton said, not every patient will want that, and people with aggressive disease may need every intense treatment, test, and appointment.

— Allessandra DiCorato, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
His daughter, Stephanie, told Deadline that Carbone died August 28 of cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer.

— Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of aggressive

Adjective

The whole brims with a sense of place, weaving the capital’s rich artistic heritage into a background that is unashamedly luxurious.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
The administration's plan to allow more imports of foreign beef has particularly roiled the agriculture-rich state of Nebraska.

— NICHOLAS INGRAM, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of rich

Adjective

Putting his lean and sinewy physicality to disquieting use, McNairy makes Wilson both unreadable and coldly transparent, giving him equal parts menace and magnetism.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
One of Nebel’s major works was still there — The Wrestlers, a huge plaster work of two sinewy men locked in combat, which had been his thesis as a student.

— Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 30 July 2026

Definition of sinewy

Adjective

Hastert was aware of the personal pitfalls of holding the powerful position.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
With the Heat’s offense often spacing all five players around the three-point line, Antetokounmpo will have plenty of room to operate as one of the most powerful drivers in the NBA.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of powerful

Adjective

By the late 1500s, the once vigorous Ming was severely eroding.

— Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is in the fight of her political life, facing a vigorous challenge from City Councilmember Nithya Raman, a savvy campaigner who was until recently a close ally.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of vigorous

Browse Nearby Words

muscling

muscular

muscularity

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“Muscular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muscular. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of muscular

adjective

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