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Synonyms

ropy

American  
[roh-pee] / ˈroʊ pi /

adjective

ropier, ropiest
  1. resembling a rope or ropes.

    ropy muscles.

  2. forming viscid or glutinous threads, as a liquid.


Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of ropy

First recorded in 1470–80; rope + -y 1


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

A blood-red tree descends, its skeletal branches and ropy roots suggesting veins and arteries.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 18, 2026

The aberrant proteins convert normal prions to their malevolent shape as they add them, like rungs on a ladder, to growing, ropy aggregates that destroy neurons, effectively chewing holes in the brain.

From Science Magazine ● Mar. 21, 2024

The blend incorporates rich, ropy lengths of hanger steak sourced from Pat LaFrieda, the famed meat supplier.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 28, 2022

Marvel films like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “Shang-Chi” are soaked in visual effects, but some of the C.G.I. is ropy and unconvincing.

From New York Times ● Mar. 24, 2022

Richard Lopez was a rib-thin conglomeration of ropy muscle and burning energy.

From "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi

He smokes the ribs over post oak and pecan woods; the final texture emerges a bit ropier than the lush, almost custardy Central Texas barbecue exemplars.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 4, 2019

And all the while the water becomes a thicker and more turbid green; the wake looks more and more ochreous, the foam ropier and yellower.

From Two Years in the French West Indies by Lafcadio Hearn

But every solid girl band needs a linchpin, someone with the infectious enthusiasm to sell even the ropiest of singles.

From The Guardian ● Oct. 12, 2019

It’s probably the club’s ropiest stretch so far in this campaign.

From The Guardian ● Aug. 31, 2016

Wales second row Dominic Day has revealed that head coach Warren Gatland was the ropiest dancer when a DJ and disco lights were brought into the gym.

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2015

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