1
as in muscular
having muscles capable of exerting great physical force
the store manager always asked the brawniest person there to do the heavy lifting
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sinewy
marked by a well-developed musculature
brawny arms that weren't developed in the gym but by years of work in the construction business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in athletic
strongly and heavily built
a tough little boy who's going to be a brawny man someday
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brawny
The band steadily climbed the charts in its native Australia, pairing its brawny rock with sincere and outspoken political activism.
—
Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The horn section sounds deep and crisp, punching out riffs on Kupka’s brawny bari foundation.
—Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Thanks to all that power, the brawny cruiser could sprint from zero to 60 mph in under six seconds and reach a top speed of 181 mph.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Jan. 2026
The actor Nicholas Christopher—brawny, bald, with a perpetually cocked eyebrow that brings to mind Yul Brynner—strode through the aisles of Tashkent Supermarket in Brighton Beach one afternoon.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brawny
Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The horn section sounds deep and crisp, punching out riffs on Kupka’s brawny bari foundation.
—Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Thanks to all that power, the brawny cruiser could sprint from zero to 60 mph in under six seconds and reach a top speed of 181 mph.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Jan. 2026
The actor Nicholas Christopher—brawny, bald, with a perpetually cocked eyebrow that brings to mind Yul Brynner—strode through the aisles of Tashkent Supermarket in Brighton Beach one afternoon.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brawny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brawny
Adjective
-
Then came Changbin’s muscular rap.—
Megan Frampton,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Industrial exoskeletons, wearable machines that enhance human strength, are revolutionizing labor-intensive jobs by reducing muscular strain and increasing workers’ endurance.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
After retiring from coaching, Conradt remained with UT’s athletic department in an advisor role.—
Lia Assimakopoulos,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Or that the athletic department costs $11 million to operate, but generates $33 million in tuition from students who’d likely be somewhere else if their sport were not offered there?—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The legislation has stalled amid strong pushback from critics.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Kodai Senga got the ball for the Mets and turned in a strong performance in his season debut.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Amid a drumbeat of disclosures that begin to exact consequences for some powerful people — particularly Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Britain's former Prince Andrew — Congress passed legislation to force the Justice Department to disclose its investigative files on Epstein.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
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The two women’s powerful, mysterious bond is sketched in sharp yet subtle dramatic strokes that are all the more thrilling for their breathless rapidity.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Perched on a bluff that overlooks Irish Beach, a private area within Manchester State Park, the home boasts an unobstructed, 180-degree view of the rugged Mendocino coastline.—
Kelsey Mulvey,
Vogue,
2 Apr. 2026
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Unlike the near side -- the side seen from Earth -- which is smoother and has flat lava plains known as maria, the far side is rugged and heavily cratered.—
ByMary Kekatos,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But while the big burly dude alliance might be the strategic headline, the interesting stuff was with the women.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
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Thrusting a baby into Offerman’s burly arms works wonders to soften up Jinx (as does the actor’s vulnerable turn), and Kenny’s arc proves surprising in the right ways (save, perhaps, one late-arriving twist).—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And in their place, a weed can grow into a mighty oak.—
Tyler Erzberger,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2026
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Marvin’s a cute little mushroom living in a cozy home beneath a mighty cedar tree.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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It's beefy enough to support three 4K outputs simultaneously, and runs surprisingly quietly.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
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Brazilian tambaqui is a beefy freshwater fish that just happens to have a physique perfect for slicing into meaty, pork-like ribs.—
J.m. Hirsch,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brawny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brawny. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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