1
as in muscular
having muscles capable of exerting great physical force
the lithe, sinewy body of the ballet company's leading male dancer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in brawny
marked by a well-developed musculature
the sinewy arms of the weight lifter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sinewy
With a double harbor set at the tip of a long and sinewy peninsula on a highly strategic coastline, Knidos grew rich from its favorable natural position and from trading wine, olive oil and vast quantities of amphorae.
—
Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
The infected familiar from the original virus strain are now sinewy figures wandering the land, feral and naked, their clothes having disintegrated long ago.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
Her sinewy voice lends the song an effortlessly cool vibe, one perfect for the warm days ahead.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 9 June 2025
Walter, whose polyphonic sensibility first charmed me in Beautiful Ruins, has here made something salty, sinewy, and satisfying from fairly tough material.
—Emily Temple
may 27, Literary Hub, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sinewy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sinewy
Adjective
-
The video opens with Ryder lounging on a plastic lounge chair, unfazed, while her muscular partner paces nearby, yelling into his phone.—
-
Research shows that muscular strength has a direct impact on your stress response and mental health, as well as cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors.—
Adjective
-
Also at tight end, Jackson Verdugo, who had a strong freshman season, is due back, and FIU signed incoming freshmen Davis Brown and Ayden Passley.—
-
Nicole says Hannah did get better and stronger — strong enough that Hannah's neurologist told her the whole story.—
Adjective
-
Indescribable, illogical, and oh-so powerful belief.—
-
Hellyer however noted that for now Iran’s powerful security establishment remains intact.—
Cite this Entry
“Sinewy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sinewy. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share