as in plump
having a large protruding abdomen
an old, potbellied cat that now needs a ramp just to get on the sofa
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of potbellied
The Delaware Department of Agriculture is encouraging people who own potbellied pigs as pets to spay or neuter them to prevent unintended litters.
—
Joseph De Avila, WSJ, 18 Nov. 2022
Outside this church upon a mosque upon a church, a potbellied Arab sat on the steps, conspicuously reciting his Quran.
—Aatish Taseer Richard Mosse, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2022
Other attractions include a catch-and-release fishing pond, winding mazes, and a petting zoo featuring potbellied pigs Big Mama and Elmer.
—Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022
Daybell was a jowly, potbellied man with an awkward, quiet demeanor, who gave off the air of a person who was deeply unsure of himself.
—Leah Sottile, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2022
See All Example Sentences for potbellied
Joseph De Avila, WSJ, 18 Nov. 2022
Outside this church upon a mosque upon a church, a potbellied Arab sat on the steps, conspicuously reciting his Quran.
—Aatish Taseer Richard Mosse, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2022
Other attractions include a catch-and-release fishing pond, winding mazes, and a petting zoo featuring potbellied pigs Big Mama and Elmer.
—Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022
Daybell was a jowly, potbellied man with an awkward, quiet demeanor, who gave off the air of a person who was deeply unsure of himself.
—Leah Sottile, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2022
See All Example Sentences for potbellied
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potbellied
Adjective
-
For those with thinner lips, glossy or satin textures add depth for a fuller effect, while a matte formula gives naturally plump lips a velvety backdrop that makes the rich pigment pop.—
Beatrice Zocchi,
Vogue,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Katmai National Park and Preserve officials say the bears are magnificently plump ahead of the tournament.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Harbor's enjoyably over-the-top Red Guardian continues to be a paunchy steal-stealer, Pullman scores a nice MCU debut as a complex mystery man, and Louis-Dreyfus reigns as a deliciously snarky antagonist.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
-
From the faded velvet booths, Instagram-happy tourists sidle up against paunchy men wearing trousers the same hue as their salmon terrine.—
airmail.news,
airmail.news,
28 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
One study found that drinking oolong tea helped increase fat oxidation by 20% within 24 hours of consumption.—
Teresa Maalouf,
Verywell Health,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Pork belly will classically have three or five stripes of fat—you’ll want these to be tightly layered with the stripes of meat.—
Irene Yoo
September 26,
Literary Hub,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Potbellied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potbellied. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share