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Definition of sinew

sinew

/ˈsɪn.juː/
sin · ew
Plural:sinews
•
Adjective:sinewy
•
Past Simple:sinewed
•
Past Participle:sinewed
•
Present Participle:sinewing
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sinew Lexical Profile

sinew Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A piece of tough fibrous tissue uniting muscle to bone or bone to bone; a tendon or ligament.

Example

"The marathon runner strained every muscle and sinew during the final sprint to the finish line."

2

The parts of a structure, system, or organization that give it strength, resilience, or cohesion (often used in the plural).

Example

"Reliable railways and ports formed the economic sinews of the developing nation."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• verb

1

To strengthen, bind, or knit together with or as if with sinews.

Example

"Shared hardships sinewed the diverse community into a resilient alliance."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for sinew

• Rhymes for sinew

• Nearby Words

sincerity
sinclair
sine
sinew
sinewy
sinful
sinfully

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'sinu' or 'seono', of Germanic origin, ultimately tracing back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to bind' or 'cord'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sinew. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sinew
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