sinewless

A sinewless character fails to lift the heavy box.

Definition

1. Adjective (tính từ):
   • Lacking sinews; without physical strength or muscular structure: "sinewless" describes something or someone that has no sinews (tendons or ligaments connecting muscles to bones), or by extension, is weak and lacking in physical power.
   • Weak, feeble, or lacking in moral or spiritual strength: In a figurative sense, "sinewless" can describe a person, argument, or effort that is insubstantial, lacking in vigor, resolve, or resilience.

Usage Examples

• Literal (physical weakness):

  • The sinewless limb could not support any weight. (The arm or leg, lacking tendons, was too weak to hold anything.)
  • After weeks of illness, his muscles felt sinewless and frail. (His body felt weak and lacking strength.)

• Figurative (moral or intellectual weakness):

  • His sinewless excuse failed to convince anyone. (His weak, unsupported excuse was unconvincing.)
  • The sinewless argument crumbled under scrutiny. (The argument lacked substance and was easily refuted.)

Advanced Usage

• "sinewless resolve": a determination that is weak and easily broken.

  • The committee’s sinewless resolve meant no real changes were made. (Their weak commitment led to inaction.)

• "sinewless prose": writing that lacks force, energy, or structure.

  • The author’s sinewless prose failed to engage the reader. (The writing was flabby and uninteresting.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sinew (noun): a tendon or ligament; also, figurative strength or power.

  • The sinews of the body are essential for movement. (The tendons are crucial for physical action.)
  • The sinews of the economy are its industries. (The core strength of the economy.)

• Sinewy (adjective): possessing sinews; strong, muscular, or resilient.

  • The athlete’s sinewy arms showed years of training. (His arms were strong and muscular.)

Synonyms

• Weak: lacking physical or moral strength.
• Feeble: very weak, lacking energy or force.
• Frail: physically delicate or easily broken.
• Languid: lacking in vigor; slow and relaxed.
• Powerless: without strength or ability to act.

Antonyms

• Sinewy: strong and muscular.
• Robust: strong and healthy.
• Vigorous: full of energy and strength.

Related Idioms

• "To cut the sinews of something": to weaken or destroy the essential strength of something.

  • The scandal cut the sinews of the company’s reputation. (It destroyed the core of its good name.)

• "Without sinew or substance": completely lacking in strength or meaningful content.

  • His proposal was without sinew or substance. (It had no real strength or value.)