muscular

adjective

mus·​cu·​lar ˈmə-skyə-lər How to pronounce muscular (audio)
Synonyms of muscularnext
1
a
: of, relating to, or constituting muscle
b
: of, relating to, or performed by the muscles
2
: having well-developed musculature
3
a
: 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
muscularity
ˌmə-skyə-ˈla-rə-tē How to pronounce muscular (audio)
-ˈler-ə-tē
noun
muscularly
ˈməs-kyə-lər-lē How to pronounce muscular (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of muscular

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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
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.
Roberts said Wednesday that the results suggested the injury was more muscular, rather than nerve related. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026 The space is pristine and remote, surrounded by woods and loons and big muscular-looking boulders for perching on and thinking deep thoughts. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for muscular

Word History

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of muscular was in 1670

Phrases Containing muscular

Rhymes for muscular

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Browse Nearby Words

muscul-
muscular
muscular dystrophy
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Cite this Entry

“Muscular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muscular. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

muscular

adjective
mus·​cu·​lar ˈməs-kyə-lər How to pronounce muscular (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or being muscle
b
: performed by the muscles
2
: having well-developed muscles : strong

Medical Definition

muscular

adjective
mus·​cu·​lar ˈməs-kyə-lər How to pronounce muscular (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or constituting muscle
b
: of, relating to, or performed by the muscles
2
: having well-developed musculature
muscularly
ˈməs-kyə-lər-lē How to pronounce muscular (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on muscular

Nglish: Translation of muscular for Spanish Speakers

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