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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of brawny
Yet once Adam is fully in command of his sword, so to speak, and subjected to a brawny He-Man makeover that at least spares him the lank bowl cut of the original model, things get rather less spry.
—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
2 June 2026
Indianapolis hosts the Combine every year, which means each February its downtown briefly becomes the world capital for strong-jawed men in athleisure who could be described as broad, brawny, buff, burly, built, boxy, or otherwise physically notable.
—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
In Southern California, the brawny bees are active from February through October, the Wisconsin company said.
—
Sarah Linn
april 24,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2026
SpaceX's Starship now holds that record, though SLS remains the brawniest vehicle ever to reach Earth orbit.
—
Brett Tingley,
Space.com,
27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brawny
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
2 June 2026
Indianapolis hosts the Combine every year, which means each February its downtown briefly becomes the world capital for strong-jawed men in athleisure who could be described as broad, brawny, buff, burly, built, boxy, or otherwise physically notable.
—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
In Southern California, the brawny bees are active from February through October, the Wisconsin company said.
—
Sarah Linn
april 24,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2026
SpaceX's Starship now holds that record, though SLS remains the brawniest vehicle ever to reach Earth orbit.
—
Brett Tingley,
Space.com,
27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for brawny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brawny
Adjective
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Its muscular composite and Kevlar exterior is finished in a glossy, factory-correct shade of Rosso Corsa, though the car did spend a few years, toward the beginning of its life, painted silver, according to the listing.
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Lagree’s Megaformer, introduced in the early 2000s, has two sliding platforms and was built for higher-intensity work that develops muscular endurance.
Adjective
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Coming in August is the Patriot Games, an athletic competition for high school students, and a Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, a free IndyCar event scheduled for August 22-23.
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But for women suing the NCAA, universities and athletic conferences over past transgender-athlete policies, the ruling may prove to be an important turning point.
Adjective
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Beyond California, scientists are raising alarms over the planet’s warming oceans, which — coupled with a strong El Niño — could increase temperatures for land dwellers in the coming weeks.
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Weather aside, Fall/Winter 2026 Haute Couture Week, running from July 6 to 9, will feature shows from 30 houses, compared with FW25’s 27-strong line-up.
Adjective
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Seconds later, a powerful explosion blasted through the doorway, shattering windows and sending vertical blinds and debris flying as firefighters quickly retreated from the building.
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The brothers bonded over the game, but in his work, Grant so frequently provided a microphone for the voices a powerful organization would rather hush.
Adjective
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California is returning a stretch of rugged Mendocino County coast to the Indigenous nations whose ancestors once stewarded its shores.
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California is returning a stretch of rugged Mendocino County coast to the Indigenous nations whose ancestors once stewarded its shores.
Adjective
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Waving and smiling, Aveiro, accompanied by a burly gentleman, takes a seat at a table bedecked with a bouquet of roses, ready to tuck into some cuisine from her native country.
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Accompanied by two burly law enforcement officers and with a military-style helicopter in the background, Uthmeier declared this was the perfect spot for a detention center.
Adjective
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In its opening match, Cape Verde introduced itself with a draw against mighty Spain.
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Today Twain would be startled by the passivity of a once-mighty Congress that has all but crumbled in the face of pressure from the White House.
Adjective
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Those beefy Parisian security boys seem ready for anything, including the heat, non?
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The service offers a beefy selection of email templates and a host of autoresponders.
Cite this Entry
“Brawny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brawny. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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