bull-necked
Built like livestock
Bull-necked describes someone with a thick, powerful neck—the kind that suggests brute strength or stubbornness.
The image comes from bulls, whose necks are heavily muscled.
It typically describes stocky, physically imposing men: a bull-necked bouncer blocked the door.
The term can carry overtones of aggression or menace.
Short and solidly built
- muscularHaving well-developed sinews
- brawnyPhysically powerful, well-muscled
- burlyHeavily muscled and broad
- squatCrouching on bent legs
heavyset · broad-shouldered · sturdy · thickset · stout · barrel-chested · compact · solid
Hostile and confrontational
- menacingConveying threat or danger
- brutishCruel and uncivilized
- thuggishAggressively violent in manner
- imposingImpressively grand in scale
threatening · tough · bouncer · enforcer · goon · brute · henchman · bodyguard
- prizefighterProfessional ring combatant
- boxerCombat sport competitor
- sergeantMid-level military rank
- dockworkerPort cargo loader
stevedore · laborer · butcher · blacksmith · character · description · antagonist · villain
stocky
Short and solidly built
- muscularHaving well-developed sinews
- brawnyPhysically powerful, well-muscled
- burlyHeavily muscled and broad
squat · heavyset · broad-shouldered · sturdy · thickset · stout · barrel-chested · compact · solid · meaty
aggressive
Hostile and confrontational
- menacingConveying threat or danger
- brutishCruel and uncivilized
- thuggishAggressively violent in manner
imposing · threatening · tough · bouncer · enforcer · goon · brute · henchman · bodyguard · strongman
Hemingway
- prizefighterProfessional ring combatant
- boxerCombat sport competitor
- sergeantMid-level military rank
dockworker · stevedore · laborer · butcher · blacksmith · character · description · antagonist · villain · tough-guy
bull-neckedswan-necked
Sinuously elongated and curved
pencil-necked · scrawny · skinny · willowy · emaciated
bull, neck, bully, bullet, bullock, bulldog, bullish, necked, neckerchief