Synonyms of sinew

sinew

noun

ˈsin-(ˌ)yü 

as in strength

the ability to exert effort for the accomplishment of a task

the justices displayed great intellectual depth and sinew in writing their opinion on this case

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strength
• power
• energy
• muscle
• vigor
• capacity
• capability
• force
• potency
• horsepower
• firepower
• might
• puissance
• potence
• competence
• competency
• aptitude
• usefulness
• effectiveness
• adequacy
• effectualness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• impotence
• weakness
• powerlessness
• impotency
• disability
• inability
• incapacity
• inaptitude
• incapability
• incompetence
• incompetency
• uselessness
• paralysis
• ineffectuality
• ineffectiveness
• inefficacy
• helplessness
• ineffectualness
• incapableness
• inefficaciousness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sinew

My father founded private hospitals south of Johannesburg, and my mother lectured anatomy, presiding over dissections and preparing meat dishes at home with the same attentive care — removing sinew and fat with a dedicated set of kitchen scalpels. — Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026

Diggs uses words, beads, sinew, electronics, video, and her voice to examine memory, erasure, identity, and language within the urban landscape. — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026

The sinews of the conflict have stretched wider in the last year. — Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2025

With Eddie Howe’s squad stripped back to the sinews by injuries, Miley’s ascent to the first team was a pressing need. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025

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