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Definition of muscle
(Entry 1 of 2)
muscle
verb
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Definition of muscle (Entry 2 of 2)
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Synonyms for muscle
Synonyms: Noun
Synonyms: Verb
blackjack, coerce, compel, constrain, dragoon, drive, force, impel, impress, make, obligate, oblige, press, pressure, sandbag
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Examples of muscle in a Sentence
Noun
the muscles of the arm an athlete with bulging muscles He pulled a muscle playing tennis. She has a strained muscle in her back. She started lifting weights to build muscle. She doesn't have the muscle to lift something so heavy.Verb
They muscled the heavy boxes onto the truck. They muscled the furniture up the stairs. He muscled through the crowd. They muscled into line behind us.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Some studies also suggest the strengthening the neck muscles can help lower the risk of concussion. — Naseem S. Miller, orlandosentinel.com, "Orlando Health researchers use blood test to detect mild concussions," 6 Sep. 2019 Here’s your at-home version: Make loose fists, and literally knead your knuckles into the muscles. — Jessica Matlin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Royal Skin-Care Secrets You Need to Try for Yourself," 3 Sep. 2019 These aren’t the days of former Mayor Richard J. Daley who, legend has it, had the political muscle to make a single call to get his pet legislation OK’d, Mooney says. — Lisa Donovan, chicagotribune.com, "The Spin: Mayor Lightfoot on pensions, police and dance partners | Willie Wilson running for U.S. Senate | Toni Preckwinkle’s thoughts on money and power in politics," 31 Aug. 2019 What kinds of proteins are going to be incorporated into the muscle most efficiently? — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Does It Make a Difference if You Get Your Protein from Plants or Animals?," 28 Aug. 2019 Whereas spare ribs come from the belly area, baby back ribs are taken from around loin, the muscle that runs along the pig’s back on either side of the spine. — Sarah Jampel, Bon Appétit, "How to Buy the Right Kind of Pork Ribs," 21 Aug. 2019 Unlike Odontochelys, the chubby Pappochelys lacks a plastron but has an extensive layer of rib-like bones embedded in muscles of the abdomen. — Hans-dieter Sues, Smithsonian, "How the Turtle Got Its Shell, With Apologies to Aesop," 20 Aug. 2019 By applying force to these cables, the system is able to assist the gluteal muscles in powering the legs. — Jon Porter, The Verge, "Scientists develop robotic shorts that make it easier to walk and run," 19 Aug. 2019 Botulism also can weaken the muscles involved in breathing, which can lead to difficulty breathing and even death. — Kate Gibson, CBS News, "Salmon caviar recalled due to botulism fears," 16 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Joel Matip jumped clear of the Arsenal back line -- which was too busy trying to muscle out Matip's defensive partner Virgil van Dijk -- to head in just before halftime. — Sarah Holt, CNN, "Jurgen Klopp conjures new mantra as Liverpool inflict defeat on Arsenal," 24 Aug. 2019 Steyer, 62, muscled his way onto the public stage by becoming one of the Democratic Party’s top donors over the last decade. — Seema Mehta, latimes.com, "Tom Steyer’s bets on private prisons and coal mining could spell trouble in 2020," 11 July 2019 Adam Eaton muscled up to hit one 402 feet that just cleared the wall in right-center. — Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, "Washington Nationals slug four consecutive home runs in San Diego," 9 June 2019 The court has swung from left to right and back again throughout its history, of course, and other presidents tried to muscle their way to friendly majorities, most infamously President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s failed court-packing scheme in 1937. — Peter Baker, New York Times, "A Conservative Court Push Decades in the Making, With Effects for Decades to Come," 9 July 2018 The third was an 86 mph breaker inside and belt high that Aquino was able to muscle into the first couple of rows down the LF line. — Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Doc's Morning Line: What a show Aristides Aquino is putting on for the Cincinnati Reds," 13 Aug. 2019 The ad buy is the latest sign of Steyer muscling into contention thanks to his massive fortune. — Casey Tolan, The Mercury News, "Democratic debate preview: What to watch for as Harris, Biden get rematch," 31 July 2019 As if that constant fluctuation wasn’t hard enough for small owners to stomach, in the early 2000s, big-box retailers like Costco, Sam’s Club, and Wal-Mart started muscling into the gas game. — Tony Rehagen, BostonGlobe.com, "Farewell to hot dog rollers and roadside chats: an elegy for the American gas station," 11 July 2019 Not since 1950—when relatively tiny Uruguay beat Brazil—had a country as small as Croatia muscled its way into the finals. — Drew Hinshaw, WSJ, "Croatia’s Fans Champion Squad, Even Though It Fell Short on World Cup Goal," 15 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'muscle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for muscle
muscle
noun
English Language Learners Definition of muscle
(Entry 1 of 2)
muscle
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of muscle (Entry 2 of 2)
See the full definition for muscle in the English Language Learners Dictionary
muscle
noun