muscular

adjective
mus·​cu·​lar | \ ˈmə-skyə-lər How to pronounce muscular (audio) \

Definition of muscular

1a : of, relating to, or constituting muscle
b : of, relating to, or performed by the muscles
2 : having well-developed musculature
3a : of or relating to physical strength : brawny
b : having strength of expression or character : vigorous muscular prose
c : characterized by forcefulness or resolve muscular foreign policy
d : full-bodied muscular wines

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Other Words from muscular

muscularity \ ˌmə-​skyə-​ˈla-​rə-​tē How to pronounce muscularity (audio) , -​ˈler-​ə-​tē \ noun
muscularly \ ˈməs-​kyə-​lər-​lē How to pronounce muscularly (audio) \ adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms for muscular

Synonyms

brawny, sinewy

Antonyms

scrawny, skinny

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Examples of muscular in a Sentence

He has a muscular physique. His legs are very muscular.

Recent Examples on the Web

Sierra bighorn sheep: The Sierra bighorn sheep is the king of the High Sierra — lean, muscular and adept on the high canyons, crags and ledges. Tom Stienstra, SFChronicle.com, "Bears, elk, sharks crown landmark wildlife surge," 17 Aug. 2019 The music felt so muscular, propelled by two percussionists as well as a drummer, as the group delivered a decidedly 21st-century brand of metal that benefited from elements of electronic/DJ music. Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, "Review: Slipknot rules on opening night of Knotfest Roadshow tour," 27 July 2019 Venice, once a great seafaring empire, is more magical than muscular, frozen in time rather than evolving. Blair Kamin, chicagotribune.com, "Column: Letter from Venice: A precarious paradise, engaged in a longtime dialogue with Chicago," 5 July 2019 Macfarlane’s writing is muscular, meticulously researched and lyrical, placing him in the lineage of Peter Matthiessen, Gretel Ehrlich and Barry Lopez. New York Times, "The Unseen Worlds Beneath Us: Places of Beauty, Danger and Wisdom," 7 June 2019 The illness is believed to be an immunological response to chemicals in implants, with common symptoms including mental confusion, blurry vision, debilitating joint and muscular pain, chronic fatigue, and hair loss. Lacey Johnson, Marie Claire, "Breast Implant Illness Is a Risk We Don't Talk About," 25 June 2019 The atlas may be the single most exciting thing in the show — muscular as well as large, dense with information, gloriously solid. Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, "At the Gardner: When some plans are bigger than others," 19 June 2019 Studies show that fans view white female athletes as more conventionally feminine, and therefore more acceptable, than athletes of color, who are often stigmatized as inappropriately masculine and muscular. Tate Royer, The Denver Post, "Guest Commentary: The biggest fight facing the U.S. women’s soccer team isn’t on the field," 14 June 2019 Kazuo Shiraga, known for painting with his feet, is represented by a muscular, lava-like swoosh of red from 1964. Roberta Smith, New York Times, "Last Call: MoMA’s Closing, and Changing," 6 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'muscular.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of muscular

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

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More Definitions for muscular

muscular

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of muscular

: of or relating to muscles
: having large and strong muscles

muscular

adjective
mus·​cu·​lar | \ ˈmə-skyə-lər How to pronounce muscular (audio) \

Kids Definition of muscular

1 : of, relating to, or done by the muscles muscular strength muscular activity
2 : having large and strong muscles muscular legs a muscular athlete

muscular

adjective
mus·​cu·​lar | \ ˈməs-kyə-lər How to pronounce muscular (audio) \

Medical Definition of muscular

1a : of, relating to, or constituting muscle
b : of, relating to, or performed by the muscles
2 : having well-developed musculature

Other Words from muscular

muscularly \ ˈməs-​kyə-​lər-​lē How to pronounce muscularly (audio) \ adverb

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