sinewy

[ sin-yoo-ee ]

/ ˈsɪn yu i /

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See synonyms for sinewy on Thesaurus.com

adjective

having strong sinews; muscular; brawny: a sinewy back.

of or like sinews; tough, firm, braided, or resilient: a sinewy rope.

having conspicuous sinews; stringy: tough, sinewy meat.

vigorous or forceful, as language, style, etc.: a sinewy argument.

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Origin of sinewy

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at sinew, -y¹

OTHER WORDS FROM sinewy

sin·ew·i·ness, nounun·sin·ew·y, adjective

Words nearby sinewy

sine prole, Sinequan, sine qua non, sinew, sine wave, sinewy, Sinfjotli, sinfonia, sinfonietta, sinful, sing

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use sinewy in a sentence

The practice isn’t confined to the crape myrtle, but there is something about the tree’s smooth, sinewy bark that invites a chop.
It’s tree-pruning season. Here’s how to do it without resorting to ‘crape murder.’|Adrian Higgins|January 27, 2021|Washington Post
His flesh is sagging a bit, but he is still trim and looks lean, sinewy and tough.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A sinewy woman emerges, stepping out onto the gray city sidewalk.
The Making of Kiesza: From Navy Sharpshooter to Beauty Queen to Pop Diva|Marlow Stern|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Charles Ray has a suite of 15 ink-on-paper paintings in an adjacent room, depicting flowers with sinewy, rainbow-colored petals.
Best of the Whitney Biennial|Rachel Wolff|February 24, 2010|DAILY BEAST

The sinewy muscles of his arms bunched together fiercely at his shoulder.
'Are You Also With Fever?'|Dr. Abraham Verghese|February 11, 2009|DAILY BEAST
There was some talk, that maybe, just maybe, this sinewy kid would be a hell of a ticket asset.
The Capital Goes Nuts|Simon Schama|November 6, 2008|DAILY BEAST
“Fibrous” applies metaphorically to mental qualities; it means strong, sinewy—high talents, just below genius.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
His sinewy hands were clenched on his knees, and his moccasined feet crossed and uncrossed themselves as the hearing progressed.
Mystery Ranch|Arthur Chapman
Tall and sinewy, their stern faces and flashing eyes proclaimed their courage.
Three Sioux Scouts|Elmer Russell Gregor
I always pictured them stern bearded men, with brick-red faces and sinewy limbs.
Round the Wonderful World|G. E. Mitton
He was a quiet, rather untalkative man, lean and sinewy, sun and wind bitten.
The Adventures of Kathlyn|Harold MacGrath

British Dictionary definitions for sinewy

sinewy

/ (ˈsɪnjʊɪ) /

adjective

consisting of or resembling a tendon or tendons

muscular; brawny

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

(of meat, etc) tough; stringy

Derived forms of sinewy

sinewiness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sinewy

Origin of sinewy

OTHER WORDS FROM sinewy

Words nearby sinewy

Words related to sinewy

How to use sinewy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sinewy

Derived forms of sinewy