stubby

adjective

ˈstə-bē How to pronounce stubby (audio)
Definition of stubbynext
as in stout
being compact and broad in build and often short in stature seven stubby little fellows carried the sleeping Snow White back to their home in a cave

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 stubby This one has stubby legs to make your ceilings appear even taller, along with plenty of space to keep your records pristine and hide the tangle of cords when company’s over. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 12 June 2026 But sadder yet is when a deer or rabbit decides to devour a young plant, leaving behind one stubby, leafless stick in the ground. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 June 2026 Popular piggy bank varieties Classic piggy banks feature stout pigs with stubby legs and noses. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2026 Alongside Lincoln Park, the small Parque de Mexico has what looks like a stubby Stonehenge of empty plinths. — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stubby
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stubby
  1. stout
  2. stumpy
  3. stocky
  4. sturdy
  5. plump
  6. squatty
Adjective
  • Robinson produced at least two would-be sacks, forced and recovered a fumble and was stout against the run for most of the day.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • It’s been a little more than a week since a stout, scrappy raccoon captured the internet's heart, and Jimothy mania is showing no signs of slowing down.
    — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 25 July 2026
Definition of stout
Adjective
  • This adorable costume looks poised to rule over The Masked Singer stage with a flick of her paw and a wag of her stumpy tail.
    — Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Jan. 2026
  • These members of the squash family produce fruits in all different shapes, sizes, and colors; there are huge ones, tiny ones, stumpy ones, tall ones, and even bumpy ones.
    — Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Nov. 2022
Definition of stumpy
Adjective
  • His 6-foot, 205-pound stocky frame could give him a physicality edge, and his receiving ability could add an intrigue.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
  • The stocky species, up to 11 inches long, sometimes out-competes or eats other lizards, including brown anoles.
    — Rylan DiGiacomo-Rapp, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2026
Definition of stocky
Adjective
  • All of these are captured using his Nikon Z8 and 100-400mm lens, usually set on a sturdy tripod with a fluid head.
    — Patrick Connolly Orlando Sentinel, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Getty’s 5%-plus dividend accounts for less than 80% of FFO estimates, and it’s backed by sturdy tenants with good credit.
    — Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • Food and Drink Breakfast is an elaborate spread of pork sausages, fresh apple juice, marionberry kouign-amann pastries, pots of yogurt with granola, and plump apricots that arrived on wooden trays in my room.
    — Katie Nanton, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026
  • And now, beanstalks are reaching for the heavens, tomatoes are getting plump and zucchini are seemingly doubling in size overnight.
    — Dr. Matthew Lisy, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of plump
Adjective
  • Sit with your feet wide apart and elevate them on blocks, stools, or a squatty potty to lift your knees above your hips.
    — Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Early on, many Falcons players and coaches misinterpreted his squatty 6-foot-3-ish, 305-pound frame and notably rounded midsection as a lack of athleticism.
    — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Definition of squatty

Browse Nearby Words

stubbornness
stubby
stubs
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stubby.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stubby. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on stubby

Nglish: Translation of stubby for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of torpor

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All