1
as in muscular
having muscles capable of exerting great physical force
the store manager always asked the brawniest person there to do the heavy lifting
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sinewy
marked by a well-developed musculature
brawny arms that weren't developed in the gym but by years of work in the construction business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in athletic
strongly and heavily built
a tough little boy who's going to be a brawny man someday
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brawny
The band steadily climbed the charts in its native Australia, pairing its brawny rock with sincere and outspoken political activism.
—
Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The horn section sounds deep and crisp, punching out riffs on Kupka’s brawny bari foundation.
—Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Thanks to all that power, the brawny cruiser could sprint from zero to 60 mph in under six seconds and reach a top speed of 181 mph.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Jan. 2026
The actor Nicholas Christopher—brawny, bald, with a perpetually cocked eyebrow that brings to mind Yul Brynner—strode through the aisles of Tashkent Supermarket in Brighton Beach one afternoon.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brawny
Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The horn section sounds deep and crisp, punching out riffs on Kupka’s brawny bari foundation.
—Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Thanks to all that power, the brawny cruiser could sprint from zero to 60 mph in under six seconds and reach a top speed of 181 mph.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Jan. 2026
The actor Nicholas Christopher—brawny, bald, with a perpetually cocked eyebrow that brings to mind Yul Brynner—strode through the aisles of Tashkent Supermarket in Brighton Beach one afternoon.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brawny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brawny
Adjective
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When muscular coordination, breathing mechanics and mobility improve together, the compensations driving your symptoms can begin to resolve.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
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Alex Aster Announces New Barbie YA Novel As for Harlan Raker, the tall and muscular knight whom Aris hates, Aster doesn't need to see a new face.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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After retiring from coaching, Conradt remained with UT’s athletic department in an advisor role.—
Lia Assimakopoulos,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Or that the athletic department costs $11 million to operate, but generates $33 million in tuition from students who’d likely be somewhere else if their sport were not offered there?—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The legislation has stalled amid strong pushback from critics.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Kodai Senga got the ball for the Mets and turned in a strong performance in his season debut.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Amid a drumbeat of disclosures that begin to exact consequences for some powerful people — particularly Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Britain's former Prince Andrew — Congress passed legislation to force the Justice Department to disclose its investigative files on Epstein.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
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The two women’s powerful, mysterious bond is sketched in sharp yet subtle dramatic strokes that are all the more thrilling for their breathless rapidity.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Perched on a bluff that overlooks Irish Beach, a private area within Manchester State Park, the home boasts an unobstructed, 180-degree view of the rugged Mendocino coastline.—
Kelsey Mulvey,
Vogue,
2 Apr. 2026
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Unlike the near side -- the side seen from Earth -- which is smoother and has flat lava plains known as maria, the far side is rugged and heavily cratered.—
ByMary Kekatos,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Some of the drop-off locations were strikingly similar—luxury apartment buildings whose vast lobbies were tributes to beige and camel, each housing a blocky reception desk manned by a burly fellow with a fastidious beard.—
Henry Alford,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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As the interview wrapped up, the female journalist asked the burly bruiser for a photograph, handing Secrets her phone.—
Rob Crilly,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And in their place, a weed can grow into a mighty oak.—
Tyler Erzberger,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2026
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Marvin’s a cute little mushroom living in a cozy home beneath a mighty cedar tree.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But Dodge desperately needs a proper high-volume SUV; that aging midsize can’t carry the brand on its (admittedly beefy) shoulders forever.—
Byron Hurd,
The Drive,
1 Apr. 2026
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It's beefy enough to support three 4K outputs simultaneously, and runs surprisingly quietly.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brawny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brawny. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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