muscle 1 of 2

noun

ˈmə-səl How to pronounce muscle (audio)
Definition of musclenext
1
as in power
muscular strength I'm going to need someone with real muscle to help me move all this furniture

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strength
the ability to exert effort for the accomplishment of a task at the time the military lacked the muscle to fight two wars at once

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

muscle

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to force
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure he was muscled out of command by his opponents at military headquarters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to push
to force one's way muscling straight through the packed crowd of people waiting to board the ship

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 muscle
Noun
Issagholyan built out a 24-session plan to course-correct, involving twice weekly visits in which I would be chiropractically adjusted, my jaw cold-lasered to promote cellular regeneration and my back muscles stimulated by electrodes. — Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 In 2006, the Charger stormed the market as a rubber-burning full-size sedan that gained muscle over the years, culminating in a 797-horsepower variant. — Matt Degen, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
Where one of his horses might have tried muscling their way out of the Shake Shack to get away from Harkness, the wily Lamb simply creates a big scene over a patron asking him to stop smoking. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026 The actor has also been muscling his way into movies, appearing as part of the ensemble of the 2023 Fast & Furious movie Fast 10 and in 2024’s Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare from Lionsgate. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for muscle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muscle
  1. power
  2. strength
  3. force
  4. push
  5. beef
  6. energy
  7. coerce
  8. squeeze
Noun
  • Ukrainians are bracing for the bitterly cold months ahead as the recent escalation in Russian attacks targets the power grid to deny civilians heat, light and running water.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Simply put, to stay economically competitive, America needs computing power that matches or beats its adversaries’.
    — Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of power
Noun
  • For Hernandez, the altar is a chance to grieve, remember and find strength in one another.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • But Splitter doesn’t want any of that development to take away from Miller’s preexisting strengths.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of strength
Verb
  • Rather than chasing fancy titles or splashy paychecks throughout her career, she’s gravitated toward jobs that pushed her out of her comfort zone, forced her to take risks, and taught her to embrace a little chaos.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The defense once again gave the offense an opportunity, forcing an Argyle punt, and this time, Heritage capitalized with a 2-yard rushing TD from Vargas to cut the lead to 7 points.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of force
Verb
  • Rather than chasing fancy titles or splashy paychecks throughout her career, she’s gravitated toward jobs that pushed her out of her comfort zone, forced her to take risks, and taught her to embrace a little chaos.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Meta Platforms, which is pushing its Muse AI agent, lost 7% after reporting stronger revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected, though its profit fell short.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of push
Noun
  • For context, there’s a longtime beef between Rick Ross and 50 Cent, which dates back to the late 2000s.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Smashburger is the clearest example in the source reporting, since the chain says its fryers use 100% beef tallow oil but its Smash Fries get a blended oil.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of beef
Noun
  • The American consumer, who accounts for about 70% of GDP, continues to buy stuff, but many are stressed by energy prices, wage stagnation, rising interest rates, and an affordability crisis in everything from health care to housing.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Possible targets of the strikes reportedly include Iran’s energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone arsenal.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of energy
Verb
  • The initiative specifically targets performers who coerce visitors for cash or falsely imply that tipping is mandatory, FOX5 said.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • According to Moscow’s defense intellectuals, Russia may need to change its posture to contain this trend, including by seeking new tools to keep Europe at bay and to coerce it below the nuclear threshold.
    — Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of coerce
Verb
  • For hungry Southerners trying to squeeze a meal into their lunch breaks, that’s a major blunder.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Push through the soles of your feet and squeeze your glutes to drive your hips upward.
    — Jenessa Connor, HEALTH, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of squeeze

Browse Nearby Words

murrains
muscle
muscle-bound
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Cite this Entry

“Muscle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muscle. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about muscle

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