sinewy

[sin-yoo-ee]

adjective

1. having strong sinews; muscular; brawny.

   a sinewy back.

2. of or like sinews; tough, firm, braided, or resilient.

   a sinewy rope.

3. having conspicuous sinews; stringy.

   tough, sinewy meat.

4. vigorous or forceful, as language, style, etc..

   a sinewy argument.

sinewy

/ ˈsɪnjʊɪ /

adjective

1. consisting of or resembling a tendon or tendons

2. muscular; brawny

3. (esp of language, style, etc) vigorous; forceful

4. (of meat, etc) tough; stringy

Other Word Forms

• sinewiness noun
• unsinewy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sinewy¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; sinew, -y ¹

Example Sentences

Moll has made the kind of sinewy procedural that makes your palms sweat.

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There are only a few numbers, but most of them are marvelous constructions with sinewy arrangements and overlapping harmonies that tangle around each other during duets.

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In his early 60s, his body is a marvel, hard and sinewy and believably battle-scarred.

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It was the juxtaposition of Mara’s potent, sinewy turn in “The Girl with Dragon Tattoo” and the nuanced fragility she exuded in “Carol” that confirmed his admiration for her performances.

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As tourists stumble by with tall cans of Bud Light Lime and cigarettes in hand, Sell’s tattooed, sinewy limbs stretch a matching Lacoste tee and shorts, with the requisite crocodile emblems and matching bright-red shoes.

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Related Words

• brawny 
• leathery 
• muscular 
• sturdy