Muscle: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'muscle' as in the previous context, when focusing on tissues that control movement.

• She could feel the muscle tensing under her hand.
• Athletes often have well-defined muscles.

Use 'tissue' when speaking broadly about various types of cells that make up parts of the body, including muscles, skin, and organs.

• The researchers studied muscle tissue under the microscope.
• Damaged tissue needs time to heal.

Use 'sinew' when referring to the tendons or the parts of muscles that connect them to bones. It can also be metaphorically used to describe strength or resilience.

• The sinews were clearly visible under his lean skin.
• It takes both brain and sinew to win the game.

Use 'flesh' when talking about the soft parts of the body, rather than organs or bones. This can include skin and the tissue underneath it. This word can have a slightly negative or graphic context.

• The wound revealed the flesh beneath the skin.
• He has a bruise where the ball hit his flesh.

Generally used to refer to physical strength or the anatomical parts responsible for movement in the body. It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone exerting their influence or power.

• He needs to build some muscle to succeed in weightlifting.
• They muscled their way into the conversation.

Refers to exerting pressure to move something away or forward. It is often used in everyday situations and can have both literal and metaphorical meanings.

• She had to push the cart up the hill.
• He pushed himself to finish the project on time.

Implies a rough or sudden push, often perceived as aggressive or impolite. It is used when describing actions with a negative connotation.

• He gave her a shove to get her out of the way.
• Kids were shoving each other in the line.

Used to describe physical power or strength used to make something happen. It can also refer to the influence someone or something has to achieve a result.

• The door was locked tight, but he applied some force to open it.
• The government used force to suppress the rebellion.