muscular

[ muhs-kyuh-ler ]

adjective

1. of or relating to muscle or the muscles:

   muscular strain.

2. dependent on or affected by the muscles:

   muscular strength.

3. having well-developed muscles; brawny.

   Synonyms: sturdy, stalwart, powerful, strong, sinewy

4. vigorously and forcefully expressed, executed, performed, etc., as if by the use of a great deal of muscular power:

   a muscular response to terrorism.

5. broad and energetic, especially with the implication that subtlety and grace are lacking:

   a muscular style.

6. reflected in physical activity and work:

   a muscular religion.

7. Informal. having or showing power; powerful:

   a muscular vehicle.

muscular

/ ˌmʌskjʊˈlærɪtɪ; ˈmʌskjʊlə /

adjective

1. having well-developed muscles; brawny
2. of, relating to, or consisting of muscle

Derived Forms

• ˈmuscularly, adverb
• muscularity, noun

Other Words From

• muscu·lari·ty noun
• muscu·lar·ly adverb
• inter·muscu·lar adjective
• inter·muscu·lar·ly adverb
• inter·muscu·lari·ty noun
• non·muscu·lar adjective
• non·muscu·lar·ly adverb
• post·muscu·lar adjective
• sub·muscu·lar adjective
• sub·muscu·lar·ly adverb
• un·muscu·lar adjective
• un·muscu·lar·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of muscular¹

1675–85; < Latin mūscul ( us ) muscle + -ar ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of muscular¹

C17: from New Latin muscularis, from musculus muscle

Example Sentences

Once the mini-brain and spinal cord formed their double-decker ice cream scoop, the team overlaid them onto a layer of muscle cells—cultured separately into a human-like muscular structure.

From Singularity Hub 

When positioned correctly they can help support your arms which, in turn, means less pressure on the muscular system of the neck and shoulders.

From Popular-Science

It requires extreme cardiovascular fitness, endurance, full-body muscular strength, speed, and coordination—often in harsh winter conditions.

From Outside Online

This updated subcompact is lower and wider than the previous model, giving it a more muscular stance.

From Washington Blade

China’s increasing control over the flow of information, its muscular geopolitical policies, and the success of its tech firms will all push us toward greater fracturing of the Internet.

From Fortune

What these men do have is a muscular hold on popular disgust with religious extremism.

From The Daily Beast

For instance, in active REM sleep, breathing and pulse may be irregular, and small muscular twitches are common.

From The Daily Beast

In the first, we met two muscular young men, almost naked and smeared with a blood-like substance.

From The Daily Beast

He landed on his hands and feet like some huge, muscular cat.

From The Daily Beast

Several muscular drivers with massive chains around their necks surround a young port official, demanding he call an ambulance.

From The Daily Beast

It is much easier to strike quickly than slowly, but practice in the slow movement will develop both muscular and nervous power.

From Project Gutenberg

Rounded scybalous masses are common in habitual constipation, and indicate atony of the muscular coat of the intestine.

From Project Gutenberg

The women, likewise, are very tall, but too muscular—they might even be termed unwieldy.

From Project Gutenberg

His mantle raised at the shoulder disclosed a muscular arm covered with circlets of gold.

From Project Gutenberg

The inside is pale purplish-brown, with a yellowish-white muscular impression.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• athletic
• brawny
• burly
• powerful
• robust
• sinewy
• stout
• strapping
• sturdy
• vigorous
• wiry