1
as in athletic
marked by a well-developed musculature
Olympic runners tend to have very muscular legs
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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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of muscular
The United States needs to play a more muscular role in promoting liberal free market principles and counterbalancing China’s ambitions by asserting its soft power in international economic, scientific, and security institutions and arrangements.
—
Deborah Wince-Smith, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Producing pups with traits that resemble the extinct dire wolf—including a larger body, heavier jaw, muscular limbs, and distinct vocalizations.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
The Celtics were 9-for-11 on first-half shots inside the restricted area, including muscular layups by Brown and Tatum, and 13-for-17 in the paint.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2025
Brittney Spencer kicked off the evening with a set that highlighted the rootsy Americana and soul sounds of the genre but also the muscular country-pop of her 2024 debut, My Stupid Life.
—Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muscular
Deborah Wince-Smith, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Producing pups with traits that resemble the extinct dire wolf—including a larger body, heavier jaw, muscular limbs, and distinct vocalizations.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
The Celtics were 9-for-11 on first-half shots inside the restricted area, including muscular layups by Brown and Tatum, and 13-for-17 in the paint.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2025
Brittney Spencer kicked off the evening with a set that highlighted the rootsy Americana and soul sounds of the genre but also the muscular country-pop of her 2024 debut, My Stupid Life.
—Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muscular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muscular
Adjective
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The government’s threats could impact Harvard’s athletic department, which sponsors 42 varsity sports—more than any other D-I school in the country.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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Kent State seems like a disaster of an athletic department and Kenni was doing some shady stuff.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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Young has struggled against the Heat’s aggressive defense in recent years.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
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The prison has become a symbol of Bukele's aggressive policies that have targeted gang violence.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The main living areas are located on the ground and second floors, offering expansive reception rooms, intricate plasterwork, and rich period details that have been carefully restored and elevated under Kime’s discerning eye and commitment to authenticity.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
18 Apr. 2025
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Video Other rich countries have not filled the gap.—
Declan Walsh,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Think Zaha Hadid, known for her futuristic, sinewy forms that seem to defy structural logic (see, for example, the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan).—
Nick Remsen,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2025
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One longs for the sinewy action of a Transformers flick, or the imaginative gravity of something like the first Pacific Rim.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Led by 28-year olds Frederic Boesel and Jonas Muller—along with their over 30 cofounders—the company is positioning itself to be a big mover in AI, making the base models underpinning powerful image generation widely accessible.—
Thomas Brewster,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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The formula combines powerful but gentle ingredients like tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and niacinamide to tackle dark spots, acne scars, and uneven tone.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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One study showed that a maximum reduction in mortality could result from 150 to 300 minutes per week of vigorous activity, 300 to 600 minutes per week of moderate physical activity, or a combination of these.2 2.—
Amy Kwan,
Verywell Health,
16 Apr. 2025
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Advocates of vigorous government oversight look upon the concept of federal preemption as a tool of deregulation.—
Glenn G. Lammi,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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However, clamp mounts have a robust design and are suitable for road and mountain riding.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
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Prediction would have to come after robust theories.—
Danny Robb,
JSTOR Daily,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Muscular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muscular. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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