1
as in athletic
marked by a well-developed musculature
Olympic runners tend to have very muscular legs
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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
Trump Signs Executive Orders In Front Of Supporters At Capital One Arena
By Jeff Young
Environment and Sustainability Editor
1
President Donald Trump's first week in office was a muscular display of presidential power, especially regarding how the U.S. gets its power.
—
Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
The human tongue, the powerful buckteeth that never stopped growing, the giant muscular haunches and posterior, and these dark-colored paws, partly webbed because the capybara is a semiaquatic creature.
—Gary Shteyngart, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
The muscular rhythm section of Ginyard Jr. and Seaton joined in next, with Blanchard and Altura not far behind, and the E-Collective was in full swing, propelling the whole sound even higher into outer space while wildly imaginative sci-fi imagery was being beamed onto the wall behind the band.
—Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025
Trump’s blizzard of executive orders asserts a muscular vision of presidential power, Charlie Savage writes.
—German Lopez, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for muscular 
Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
The human tongue, the powerful buckteeth that never stopped growing, the giant muscular haunches and posterior, and these dark-colored paws, partly webbed because the capybara is a semiaquatic creature.
—Gary Shteyngart, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
The muscular rhythm section of Ginyard Jr. and Seaton joined in next, with Blanchard and Altura not far behind, and the E-Collective was in full swing, propelling the whole sound even higher into outer space while wildly imaginative sci-fi imagery was being beamed onto the wall behind the band.
—Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025
Trump’s blizzard of executive orders asserts a muscular vision of presidential power, Charlie Savage writes.
—German Lopez, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for muscular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muscular
Adjective
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Biomechanical Analysis for Injury Prevention Employing machine learning capabilities to movement data offers coaches and physiotherapists actionable insights on how to adjust training regimens to preempt injuries and maximize athletic potential.—
Priya Oberoi,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
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The Park District envisions an initial phase with five baseball fields, six multipurpose athletic fields, a domed soccer field, stadium with running track, accessible playground and a pond.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 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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Eight years later, polls show the president has more support in the country for aggressive limits on immigration, in part because of a surge in migrants crossing the southern border during much of Mr. Biden’s time in office.—
Michael D. Shear,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
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An aggressive exterior, with more aero and venting, hints at the performance potential within.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Larry Ellison, also one of the world’s richest men, is facing regulatory hurdles with the Paramount-Skydance merger that would see his son, Skydance CEO David Ellison, running the combined media assets.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2025
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Eating purple foods rich in anthocyanins may help support gut health, ease inflammation, and reduce oxidative stress (cell damage).1 1.—
Johna Burdeos,
Health,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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No doubt Aston Martin hoped the shade, which adds a bit of metallic flake to the bright hue, would pop in photos—but to my eye, the brilliance actually results in many of the more sleek and sinewy details getting blown out.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes,
29 Dec. 2024
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Colvin, a sinewy former high-school wrestler whose rounded silver eyeglasses give him a scholarly mien, was plenty intrigued.—
Brendan I. Koerner,
WIRED,
13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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So, in the interest of focusing on leisure rather than work, today’s deal is a powerful gaming rig that punches way above its weight with a $200 discount.—
Jade Chung-Lee,
PCMAG,
22 Jan. 2025
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This part of southern Lebanon has been the focus of cross-border fighting between Hezbollah, the most powerful armed group in Lebanon, and Israel.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Our commitment includes the vigorous pursuit of both the North Korean actors and those providing them with material support.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
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The hammam routine involves mixed use of the herbal steam room, dry heat sauna, stimulating Swiss shower, cool mist room, aqua massage vitality pool, and a warm marble belly stone; not to mention a vigorous body scrub followed by a purifying cleanse and 60- or 90-minute massage.—
Ariel Okin,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The game plan had to change to something more conservative, more repeatable, more robust.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
The Athletic,
3 Feb. 2025
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The latest iteration features the same robust build and chuck-about-ability but has been consciously upgraded with phthalate-free, recycled PVC and recycled nylon that’s treated with a non-PFC water-repellent (DWR) finish.—
Parker Hall,
WIRED,
2 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near muscular
Cite this Entry
“Muscular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muscular. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
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