sinewy

Imagine an athlete who is not big or bulky, but very lean and clearly strong. That's sinewy. The word suggests strength held in a slim frame, like tight ropes under the skin. It describes a body with visible muscles or tendons and very little fat, giving a sense of power and endurance. You might describe a dancer's arms this way, or the branches of an old tree bent by the wind. The word comes from sinews, an old word for tendons. Think less about size and more about flexible strength.

The word sinewy paints a picture of lean strength and resilience. It doesn't describe someone heavily muscled or bulky; instead, it suggests a wiry, almost gaunt physique where tendons and muscles are clearly visible beneath the skin. Think of a long-distance runner—their bodies aren't about sheer mass, but about efficient power and endurance. That's sinewy.

Originally referring to the sinews themselves (an old word for tendons, the tough bands that connect muscle to bone), the word evolved to describe anything with that same quality of strong, flexible toughness. You might encounter it describing a character in literature—perhaps a weathered sailor or a hardened adventurer: "The old fisherman had sinewy arms from years of hauling nets."

But sinewy isn't limited to people. It can also be used figuratively. A sinewy plotline is one that is tightly constructed and full of tension, with every element contributing to the overall strength of the story. A sinewy argument is one that is logically sound and powerfully presented.

While not always purely complimentary (it can imply excessive thinness or a certain gauntness), sinewy generally carries a positive connotation—suggesting vitality, endurance, and an underlying power born from lean efficiency. It's about strength that isn't showy, but deeply ingrained.