1
as in stout
being compact and broad in build and often short in stature
dumpy little toddlers growing into lanky children
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
we could only find rooms at a dumpy motel on the outskirts of the city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dumpy
The dumpy old Abe Stark Sports Center, the ice rink on the boardwalk between 19th and 20th Streets, is getting a major renovation as well.
—
Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 24 Sep. 2025
Torry’s candidly dumpy, dingy, dated, wood panel lined courtroom allowed for the placement of contemporary art and the banging of nails into walls which would have been forbidden in one of the ornate ground floor courtrooms.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
The Slip concerns sixteen-year-old Nathaniel Rothstein, a dumpy sad sack who, after getting into a fight at school, is sent to live with his uncle in Austin for the summer of 1998.
—Lucas Schaefer
june 13, Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
At the start of the production, when Blanche arrives at her sister’s dumpy apartment, a lithe young man (Jabez Sykes) contorts himself in abstract choreography.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dumpy
Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 24 Sep. 2025
Torry’s candidly dumpy, dingy, dated, wood panel lined courtroom allowed for the placement of contemporary art and the banging of nails into walls which would have been forbidden in one of the ornate ground floor courtrooms.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
The Slip concerns sixteen-year-old Nathaniel Rothstein, a dumpy sad sack who, after getting into a fight at school, is sent to live with his uncle in Austin for the summer of 1998.
—Lucas Schaefer
june 13, Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
At the start of the production, when Blanche arrives at her sister’s dumpy apartment, a lithe young man (Jabez Sykes) contorts himself in abstract choreography.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dumpy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dumpy
Adjective
-
The Aztecs are stout as ever defensively under coach Brian Dutcher but rank 108th nationally in offensive efficiency, according to the Pomeroy ratings, which measure points-per-possession adjusted for opponents.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Feb. 2026
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Within food delivery, Uber faces stout competition from companies including DoorDash, which has a market cap of over $71 billion.—
Salvador Rodriguez,
CNBC,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Such as dilapidated neighborhoods, toxic air, unkept public parks, failing infrastructure, unreliable public transportation and low wages.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Through the window that day, Smith-Dean saw a potential gold mine for the community, where many who passed by on Spring Avenue saw only a dilapidated structure.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
An InStyle editor's mom swears by the Mario Badescu Super Collagen Mask for plump, firm, even skin.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
22 Feb. 2026
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Forget about fashionable foodie trends, the cuisine here remains a faithful homage to the master, perfectly reproducing his signature dishes like plump pike quenelle dumplings in a rich creamy Nantua sauce, succulent beef Rossini topped with foie gras or a tasty black truffle soup.—
John Brunton,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
His refusal to weaponize suffering is one of his most important — and most neglected— lessons.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The department issued heavy fines and ultimately shuttered a neglected building in Denver’s uptown neighborhood last year that was owned by CBZ Management.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
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
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With the costume’s feet at knee-level, an elevated stage (and smoke machine) helped give the appearance that Klum was walking around on E.T.’s characteristically stumpy legs.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN,
1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The Thule runs a little taller and wider than your average stroller thanks to its burly rear wheels and stocky frame.—
Erica Zazo,
Outside,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The stocky little elephant, not far from Rome’s Pantheon, is a frequent stop for tourists.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Feb. 2026
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This modern floor lamp boasts a sturdy, angled base and a wide drum shade, ready to cast light around your entire space.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Alvarezsaurs were predominantly small, with stubby but powerful forelimbs, long and gracile hindlimbs and lightly built skulls.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
26 Feb. 2026
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For a moment, my stubby, bare brown fingers hover over my keyboard, the speed-typing test on my screen counting the clock down to zero.—
Mason Leib,
ABC News,
2 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dumpy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumpy. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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