muscleman

[ muhs-uhl-man ]

noun

, plural mus·cle·men.

1. Informal. a man with a muscular or brawny physique, especially a bodybuilder.
2. Slang. a bodyguard, especially one hired to intimidate others, often by strong-arm methods.

muscleman

/ ˈmʌsəlˌmæn /

noun

1. a man with highly developed muscles
2. a henchman employed by a gangster to intimidate or use violence upon victims

Word History and Origins

Origin of muscleman¹

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30; muscle + man

Example Sentences

To somehow demonstrate this alleged peak physical fitness, Trump has a habit of sharing drawings or photoshops portraying him as a muscleman, and even trying to sell "digital trading cards" with such imagery.

From Salon

A scroll through the most popular TikTok or YouTube accounts today reveals a landscape dominated by musclemen.

From New York Times

Inside the Sistine Chapel, where in the past I have been shoved and elbowed by the crowds, about 30 spectators were awing over Perugino’s frescoes and craning to see Michelangelo’s burly musclemen on the ceiling.

From New York Times

Nonetheless, "it’s interesting and important for me, and in the future maybe I will have a real person, but it’s important that she or he likes my dolls too," the muscleman said.

From Fox News

The posturing took some focus away from Ngannou, the likable, soft-spoken muscleman with unbelievable punching power.

From Washington Times