muscleman

American  

[muhs-uhl-man] / ˈmʌs əlˌmæn /

noun

plural

musclemen

1. Informal. a man with a muscular or brawny physique, especially a bodybuilder.

2. Slang. a bodyguard, especially one hired to intimidate others, often by strong-arm methods.

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muscleman British  

/ ˈmʌsəlˌmæn /

noun

1. a man with highly developed muscles

2. a henchman employed by a gangster to intimidate or use violence upon victims

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Etymology

Origin of muscleman

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30; muscle + man

Example Sentences

A scroll through the most popular TikTok or YouTube accounts today reveals a landscape dominated by musclemen.

From New York Times

Inside the Sistine Chapel, where in the past I have been shoved and elbowed by the crowds, about 30 spectators were awing over Perugino’s frescoes and craning to see Michelangelo’s burly musclemen on the ceiling.

From New York Times

Nonetheless, "it’s interesting and important for me, and in the future maybe I will have a real person, but it’s important that she or he likes my dolls too," the muscleman said.

From Fox News

The posturing took some focus away from Ngannou, the likable, soft-spoken muscleman with unbelievable punching power.

From Washington Times

Amateur champion and current muscleman who powered and putted his way to a 68, the lowest score on a day Winged Foot played to an average score of 75.25.

From Washington Times