stumpy

adjective

ˈstəm-pē How to pronounce stumpy (audio)
Definition of stumpynext
as in stout
being compact and broad in build and often short in stature stumpy penguins become agile swimmers the moment they hit the water

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 stumpy At one point, someone on InSight’s science team wondered if the lander’s somewhat stumpy arm could prod the solar panels, or perhaps scrape off some dust. — Robin George Andrews, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2022 These were kings, calmer and more aloof than the royals, going through their annual molt, their stumpy bodies a mess of patchy old plumage being pushed up and out by new growth. — Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 14 Dec. 2021 Clearly, this was not some unmarked but common alternative route; it was studded with stumpy pine trees, and the terrain made for hard going. — Rachel Monroe, Outside Online, 16 Oct. 2018 Previously, scientists had thought that tardigrades evolved their stumpy bodies by fusing body segments together. — Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 26 Jan. 2016 See All Example Sentences for stumpy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumpy
  1. stout
  2. stubby
  3. stocky
  4. plump
  5. squatty
  6. sturdy
Adjective
  • Atlanta is playing without Za'Darius Smith, the team leader with 2 1/2 sacks who suffered a concussion/neck injury in Week 4, but its pass rush remains stout.
    — AJC.com, AJC.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Patterson, a Hall of Fame coach known for stout defenses, was supposed to help Riley address the Trojans’ biggest weakness, but the turnaround hasn’t been swift or smooth.
    — Jordan Puente, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of stout
Adjective
  • Big ears, stubby legs and an extra-strong butt — Zoo Miami celebrated the newest addition to its animal family Friday.
    — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026
  • These mushrooms are instantly recognizable for their fat, puffy shape and stubby stems that are often as wide as—if not wider than—the caps.
    — Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of stubby
Adjective
  • Jos Weyers, a stocky man with glasses who is one of the group’s senior members, was dressed in all black.
    — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Introduced in the 1970s to maintain the open grassy balds, these stocky, sure-footed ponies have become beloved icons.
    — Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of stocky
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, nano-hyaluronic acid and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid draw in and hold onto moisture, leaving skin feeling plump and supple without weighing it down.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The brothel is huge and painted black, like a plump beetle luxuriating in the sun, and the opulence of its internal decoration is matched by Kate herself.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 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
Adjective
  • The shoes balanced on a slender yet sturdy stiletto heel measuring around three inches.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The result has been sturdy economic growth, even as lower-income and even middle-income households have continued to struggle under stubborn inflation and declining earnings.
    — Rob Wile, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of sturdy

Browse Nearby Words

stumps
stumpy
stun
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Cite this Entry

“Stumpy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumpy. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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