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Definitions

bruising

ADJECTIVE
burly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
able-bodied athletic beefy brawny bulky hulking muscular portly stocky stout strapping sturdy
WEAK
beefcake big gorillalike hefty hulky powerful strong thickset well-built
Antonyms
STRONGEST
delicate frail infirm skinny slight small thin tiny underweight weak
WEAK
light slim
ADJECTIVE
muscular
Synonyms
STRONGEST
athletic brawny burly powerful robust sinewy stout strapping sturdy vigorous wiry
WEAK
able-bodied fibrous hefty herculean hulky husky lusty mighty muscled powerhouse pumped-up ripped ropy stalwart stringy strong tiger tough well-built
Antonyms
STRONGEST
impotent skinny slight small thin weak
WEAK
delicate flabby infirm

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

U.S. stock futures rose, putting major indexes on pace to recover slightly after a bruising selloff.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

The surprise profit is good news for investors, who have been fretting about the impact a bruising price war in China would have on the bottom line for XPeng and other EV makers.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

If ever an image summed up a bruising night of self-inflicted pain for Eddie Howe's side as they crashed out of the Champions League.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

That ended up being in the bruising Big Ten with Minnesota.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026

Each apprentice gave their best, but Bokator was a bruising discipline and not everyone’s strength.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.