ATHLETIC Synonyms: 107 Similar and Opposite Words

athletic

adjective

Definition of athletic

as in muscular

having great physical strength, skill, or ability She had always been athletic, playing multiple sports even as a child.

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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 athletic Meanwhile, her mother, having navigated four older siblings’ athletic careers, was free to travel with 14-year-old Tracy because the nest was empty. — Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Depending on the size of the school and its athletic teams, these can be massively demanding roles, often carried out within complex university systems. — Nada Usina, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026 So which athletic performance brands are expected to continue to do well in the back half of 2026? — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026 William Jewell’s athletic director, Ryan Erlacher, did not respond to requests for comment from The Star. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for athletic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for athletic

Adjective

The sense of doom freed them to push hard into a rich new pop direction, filling Sound of Lies with songs that were deeply felt and sometimes dark amid the muscular pop hooks.

— Steve Appleford, SPIN, 31 Aug. 2026
Years later, while O’Brien was developing Rocky Horror, the two ran into each other outside a London gym where O’Brien had been scouting muscular men for the show.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of muscular

Adjective

Understanding the benefits muscle cells have as endocrine workhorses could help keep us all healthier in the long run.

— Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
Higher benchmark yields can lift financing costs even for healthy companies, potentially making some factories, data centers, acquisitions and other investments less economically viable.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of healthy

Adjective

Davis delivered a strong preseason, but he is now likely headed to a redshirt rookie season unless injuries strike at tackle.

— Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
There’s no denying that the fall 2026 runways made a strong case for color; even the street style scene is on board, slipping into colorful shoes and sporting handbags in a variety of vibrant shades—baby pink, chartreuse, and cobalt.

— Laura Jackson, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of strong

Adjective

Mongolian Cashmere Oversized Crewneck Sweater On the heels of the Practical Magic 2 announcement, Kidman cozied up in an oversized gray sweater and jeans for a casual-yet-polished outfit that is fit for many occasions.

— Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Built on a 1953 Cadillac Series 62 chassis, fit with a 331 ci V-8, this all-aluminum two-seater features a retractable hardtop, a wraparound windshield, a Lucite steering wheel, and Liberace levels of gold-plating.

— Howard Walker, Robb Report, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of fit

Adjective

Bonnell has previously shown the larger 902, which is expected to become the more powerful flagship of the company's e-Moto range.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
This quietly powerful exploration of familial bonds across generations is a story of finding hope and the importance of a home.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of powerful

Adjective

For one track on her massive yet agile new album, The Will of Tongues, Davachi works with Phaedrus, an early music flute consort (three tenors, one bass, all modeled on 16th-century instruments), a group whose approach resonates with her own.

— Reed Jackson, SPIN, 31 Aug. 2026
The smallest robot was the most agile of the three, and the largest one was the best at maintaining its trajectory when faced with disturbances meant to throw it off course.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of agile

Adjective

Thickness, though, is not always an option—optical films have to stay clear, protective layers on aircraft have to stay light and flexible, and the barriers on outdoor electronics are thin by design.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
Soft loafers are also resonating for their lightweight, flexible construction and polished look without sacrificing comfort.

— Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of flexible

Adjective

And during a second-quarter earnings call with analysts Thursday, Ulta Beauty CEO Kecia Steelman reported that K-beauty momentum continued, with robust double-digit growth in category sales compared to the same period last year.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Its celebrity pedigree is astonishing (spokespersons and fans include Jane Fonda, Martha Stewart, Andie MacDowell, Heidi Klum, etc), its offerings are robust, and many, if not most of its products, are five-star successes.

— Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of robust

Browse Nearby Words

athirst

athletic

athletics

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“Athletic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/athletic. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of athletic

adjective

Example Sentences

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