as in obesity
the condition of having an excess of body fat
the doctor warned that the patient's corpulence was unhealthy and not merely unattractive
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Recent Examples of corpulence
And the blue velvet armchair was empty but for the permanent impression of his corpulence.
—
Kate Crane, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
Kajumba was a laconic man, rail‑thin, with the type of largish head that suggested nature had intended him for corpulence, even as circumstance had conspired to keep him slender.
—Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
As president, George H.W. Bush compared his dog, Ranger, to a blimp in a playful memo to White House staff noting a need to curb doggie treats because of canine corpulence.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 5 Sep. 2025
Whimsy was also the domain of the Colombian painter and sculptor Fernando Botero, whose signature was a race of voluptuously bloated figures — denizens, from priests to bullfighters, of an almost cartoonish world that, to him, had to do not with corpulence but with the sensuality of human life.
—William McDonald, New York Times, 28 Dec. 2023
Twelve bears started in the celebration of corpulence on September 29 before the final online showdown Tuesday.
—CNN, 5 Oct. 2021
In order to support a pair of cubs and reach peak corpulence, Grazer didn’t shy away from battles for the best spots on Brooks River, even against much larger male bears, according to the Park’s video.
—Theresa MacHemer, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Sep. 2020
His striking physical resemblance to his grandfather, channeling his clothing, gait and corpulence, secured his place as the latest iteration of the country’s preordained leadership.
—Victoria Kim, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2020
Over his career, the uber-producer has explored aging, poverty, addiction, corpulence, single parenthood, neurodivergence and other experiences that can leave a person in the margins of American life.
—Robyn Bahr, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Sep. 2019
Kate Crane, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
Kajumba was a laconic man, rail‑thin, with the type of largish head that suggested nature had intended him for corpulence, even as circumstance had conspired to keep him slender.
—Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
As president, George H.W. Bush compared his dog, Ranger, to a blimp in a playful memo to White House staff noting a need to curb doggie treats because of canine corpulence.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 5 Sep. 2025
Whimsy was also the domain of the Colombian painter and sculptor Fernando Botero, whose signature was a race of voluptuously bloated figures — denizens, from priests to bullfighters, of an almost cartoonish world that, to him, had to do not with corpulence but with the sensuality of human life.
—William McDonald, New York Times, 28 Dec. 2023
Twelve bears started in the celebration of corpulence on September 29 before the final online showdown Tuesday.
—CNN, 5 Oct. 2021
In order to support a pair of cubs and reach peak corpulence, Grazer didn’t shy away from battles for the best spots on Brooks River, even against much larger male bears, according to the Park’s video.
—Theresa MacHemer, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Sep. 2020
His striking physical resemblance to his grandfather, channeling his clothing, gait and corpulence, secured his place as the latest iteration of the country’s preordained leadership.
—Victoria Kim, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2020
Over his career, the uber-producer has explored aging, poverty, addiction, corpulence, single parenthood, neurodivergence and other experiences that can leave a person in the margins of American life.
—Robyn Bahr, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corpulence
Noun
-
In future research, Drew said, the team would like to explore whether the brain is detecting these mechanical signals, and how physical conditions like obesity affect the hydraulic relationship between the abdominal muscles and the brain.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
Plus, Elaine, Allison, and Adam chat about this week’s notable news, including the obesity pill battle between Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, a Phase 3 study win for Cytokinetics, and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary’s White House troubles.—
Elaine Chen,
STAT,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Pills are newer, with two options approved for weight management within the past year.—
Jay Sparks,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
-
The weight of the discs ranges from 160-180 grams.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Because this isn't a book about fatness, despite the central plotline.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Corpulence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corpulence. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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