1
as in power
muscular strength
I'm going to need someone with real muscle to help me move all this furniture
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strength
the ability to exert effort for the accomplishment of a task
at the time the military lacked the muscle to fight two wars at once
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to force
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
he was muscled out of command by his opponents at military headquarters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of muscle
Health Editorial Team, Health, 18 Aug. 2025
Budapest is famous for its ornate bathhouses and spas, but its thermal waters have done more than soothe muscles and ease ailments.
—Jennifer Walker, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025
Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 18 June 2025
But this week, Trump — always looking for a shiny object — is forcing his minions in Congress to muscle through a bill that ends the modest subsidy for the CPB (along with billions in foreign aid and other noble causes).
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for muscle
Noun
Wall balls are a cardiovascular and strength exercise with several benefits:
Improve core strength: Wall balls activate the core muscles, which support the spine.
—Health Editorial Team, Health, 18 Aug. 2025
Budapest is famous for its ornate bathhouses and spas, but its thermal waters have done more than soothe muscles and ease ailments.
—Jennifer Walker, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
The early opposition is a harrowing state of play for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who can only afford to lose three votes and muscle the legislation through his razor-thin majority, assuming full attendance and unanimous Democratic opposition.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 18 June 2025
But this week, Trump — always looking for a shiny object — is forcing his minions in Congress to muscle through a bill that ends the modest subsidy for the CPB (along with billions in foreign aid and other noble causes).
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for muscle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muscle
Noun
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Hall 6 puts yachts between 65 and 115 feet in the spotlight with a solid selection of superyachts, multihulls in both sail and power, and a special area for superboats and tenders to complement the parent yachts.—
Kathleen Turner,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
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Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Related Stories Second-half EBITDA grew 8%, fueled by strength across Total Television, streaming service Stan and the Publishing division.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Aug. 2025
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The company tends to settle for mid-tier brands and celebrities in their marketing, straying from its core strength in winterwear, Jiang added.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Kyung Lee, a Houston attorney representing plaintiffs who forced Waldrop into involuntary bankruptcy in April, enumerated accusations of fraud and financial mismanagement that have been leveled against the developer.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Aug. 2025
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For a Dolphins team that forced just eight fumbles all of last season, Awuzie would certainly be able to boost those numbers.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Instead of forcing yourself to push through a crisis of motivation, Labor Day is a perfect moment to reset your approach.—
Amanda Miller Littlejohn,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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Kenyon Sadiq pushed past a defender on a 20-yard pass from Moore and scored to make it 14-0.—
Anne M. Peterson,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The inspector fired Stop Sales because of temperature abuse (not being at or under 41 degrees) at cooked ox, cooked goat, cooked beef and chicken.—
David J. Neal
Updated August 22,
Miami Herald,
22 Aug. 2025
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Several food items were outside of proper holding temperatures, including shredded cheese, chicken, pork and beef.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Each appointment combines sound healing, energy work, and crystal alignment, ending with a custom piece of jewellery designed specifically for you.—
Angela Lei,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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For years, the energy system has suffered from a lack of maintenance and investment.—
Gonzalo Zegarra,
CNN Money,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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While many have expressed relief that schools are being encouraged — and in some cases coerced — to adopt policies to stem antisemitism, some are also concerned that the effort is also compromising free expression on campuses.—
Grace Gilson,
Sun Sentinel,
23 July 2025
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The lawsuit alleges the grant conditions coerce local governments into adopting the Trump administration's policy agenda.—
Alison Dirr,
jsonline.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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They have been squeezed at both ends: preparation curtailed by a post-season Club World Cup, but also a transfer deadline that caused deep uncertainty over the future of several players, as well as the size of squad Guardiola will have to manage.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
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Rinse the butter by kneading it and squeezing it in the ice bath.—
Elizabeth Karmel,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Cite this Entry
“Muscle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muscle. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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