What does sinewed mean?
Sinewed describes someone with a powerful, muscular physique, especially one whose body appears strong, durable, or capable of enduring physical strain. The adjective can also apply figuratively to a person who has been toughened by hardship, discipline, or experience, suggesting resilience and hard-won strength. It is often used in literary descriptions of labourers, athletes, soldiers, heroes, and other physically demanding figures: “The sinewed climber adjusted the rope and continued upward.” Because the word draws its imagery from sinews, the body's tendons and connective tissues, it gives a more forceful impression than simply saying muscular. Its figurative use is especially effective when describing someone who has survived difficult circumstances and emerged capable, determined, and physically or mentally resilient.
adjectiveHaving well-developed sinews and a strong, muscular build. It can also describe someone toughened or strengthened by experience.
- Having well-developed muscles and a strong, muscular physique.
- Strengthened, toughened, or made resilient by experience or hardship.
"The sinewed labourer lifted the heavy beam with ease."
"After years of mountain expeditions, the guides were sinewed and utterly sure-footed."
"The novel follows a sinewed hero who has survived years of political struggle."
Sinewed turns the body's connective tissue into a picture of rugged strength: it describes a physique built for demanding work, and by extension, a character hardened by experience.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of sinewed
The word is formed from sinew with the suffix -ed, originally suggesting that someone has sinews and therefore possesses muscular strength. Sinew itself comes from Old English sinewe, the body’s connective tissue, especially the strong tissue associated with movement and strength. The modern adjective developed in the general sense “muscular” and later acquired the figurative meaning “strengthened or toughened by experience.”
Related word forms
How sinewed is actually used
Sinewed is literary and often has a slightly old-fashioned or dramatic tone. In its figurative sense, it is especially associated with people toughened by hardship, training, or difficult experience.
Easily confused with sinewed
Both describe muscular strength, but sinewed more commonly emphasizes a visibly powerful or well-developed physique, whereas sinewy can also refer to having prominent or tough sinews.
Sinewed means strong or muscular, while sinuous means curved, winding, or gracefully flexible.