muscular

adjective

ˈmə-skyə-lər 
Definition of muscular
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of muscular As mentioned, South Asian modern art exceeded $100 million in auction sales in 2025, capping several years of increasingly muscular results. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026 The legacy of the steppe is not simply one of bloodshed and the muscular assertion of power, just as the legacy of European history is not just one of laws and the orderly restraint of power. — Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Whereas adult clams can move about using their muscular foot, adult oysters are sessile and remain fixed to the substratum. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026 Other dynamic movements, like ball slams, kettlebell swings, dumbbell chops, and medicine ball throws, can also develop muscular power. — Jenessa Connor, HEALTH, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for muscular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muscular
  1. athletic
  2. strong
  3. aggressive
  4. rich
  5. sinewy
  6. powerful
  7. vigorous
  8. robust
Adjective
  • The sixth-year forward is an athletic rebounder and has learned to fill the gaps created by defenses focusing on Wilson in the frontcourt.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Baiz takes over for longtime ARC head coach Jon Osterhout, now the assistant athletic director and chief of staff of Sacramento State’s football program, his alma mater.
    — JOE DAVIDSON, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of athletic
Adjective
  • The duties also apply to kraftliner, which is a strong paperboard, primarily used in the outer layer of cardboard boxes.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Love the Georgia peach down, but respecting the fidelity of partnership has never been one of her strong points.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of strong
Adjective
  • Cramer also pointed to Abercrombie's aggressive share repurchases as another boost to earnings per share.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough, being aggressive in what was a must-win series finale against the Washington Nationals, chose to go to his bullpen early.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • So these ingredients can significantly boost fiber intake without adding traditional fiber-rich foods.
    — Amber Raiken, Verywell Health, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Norman is the 26th richest member of Congress, including both the House of Representatives and the Senate, according to Quiver Quantitative Live Net Worth Tracker's list.
    — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of rich
Adjective
  • One of Nebel’s major works was still there — The Wrestlers, a huge plaster work of two sinewy men locked in combat, which had been his thesis as a student.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 30 July 2026
  • The White man, his sinewy, tattooed arms already beet-red from the sun, shouldered the cross from the center beam.
    — John Blake, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
Definition of sinewy
Adjective
  • Experts said it was most likely caused by a partial glacier collapse that sent tons of ice and rock crashing down into the valley below, setting off a powerful landslide.
    — Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Hacking incident Hugging Face was recently at the center of a hacking incident that raised concerns about the rapid evolution of powerful AI and cybersecurity tools.
    — April Roach, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of powerful
Adjective
  • Puppies should not engage in vigorous tug-of-war games because too much tugging can create jaw or bite problems.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Second, legislation should promote vigorous competition among teams and conferences, not preserve the exclusive club of the current Power Four membership.
    — U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of vigorous
Adjective
  • In recognition of their robust potential and need for more support, Sanfic Industria, the industry section of the Santiago Film Festival (Sanfic), launched the Queer Incubator in 2025.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
  • However, North Carolina’s community college system, low corporate tax rate, robust logistics infrastructure, and site location ultimately tipped the scales in Davie County’s favor.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of robust

Browse Nearby Words

muscling
muscular
muscularity
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Cite this Entry

“Muscular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muscular. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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