1
as in plump
having an excess of body fat
a portly gentleman who loved to cook for his family and friends
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2
as in imposing
having or showing a formal and serious or reserved manner
walked with the portly grace of the grande dame that she was
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of portly
In Facebook groups dedicated to Texas barbecue fandom, a recently popular meme shows a portly man dancing on a stripper pole.
—
Elizabeth Findell, WSJ, 9 Mar. 2022
Made of steel, the watch had in its dial a sketch of a portly man, his face framed by round glasses and his broad shoulders clad in a wide-lapelled jacket.
—Sonia Paul, Wired, 1 Mar. 2022
That’s when the portly orphan, who was riding in the van with her, slices off her face to wear it as his own.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 Feb. 2022
One day, Lem held forth about H. G. Wells and Jules Verne to a portly man who turned out to run a publishing house.
—Caleb Crain, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for portly
Elizabeth Findell, WSJ, 9 Mar. 2022
Made of steel, the watch had in its dial a sketch of a portly man, his face framed by round glasses and his broad shoulders clad in a wide-lapelled jacket.
—Sonia Paul, Wired, 1 Mar. 2022
That’s when the portly orphan, who was riding in the van with her, slices off her face to wear it as his own.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 Feb. 2022
One day, Lem held forth about H. G. Wells and Jules Verne to a portly man who turned out to run a publishing house.
—Caleb Crain, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for portly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portly
Adjective
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Remember, most healthy plant roots should be plump and white in color.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 July 2025
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Are your tomato vines covered in plump green fruits that just won't turn red?—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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The far more imposing limit is MLS’s global standing.—
Jeff Rueter,
The Athletic,
8 Feb. 2025
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And on the other hand, in a world where most of their top arms remain healthy and effective, the Dodgers could possess one of the most imposing starting pitching staffs in recent memory.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Before the era of inflation and taxes, stocks were a specialists’ forte of no interest to the broad population getting fat and happy on the bounty of the industrial revolution.—
Brian Domitrovic,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Estrogen also helps regulate blood sugar by supporting insulin production, improving insulin sensitivity, and reducing fat storage and inflammation.—
Karina Zaiets,
USA Today,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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Bruce Yandle is a distinguished adjunct fellow with the Mercatus Center at George Mason University and former executive director of the Federal Trade Commission.—
Bruce Yandle,
Twin Cities,
10 July 2025
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Roberts, 64, spoke to PEOPLE exclusively while attending the 46th Annual News Emmy Awards in New York City, where she was inducted into the Silver Circle Honor Society — an accolade that recognizes television professionals with at least 25 years of distinguished service to the industry.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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Exquisitely known for their perfectly round shape and mirror like lustre.—
Felicity Carter,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
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Good gaming features and simplified Google TV streaming round things out for a sweet package.—
Ryan Waniata,
Wired News,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portly. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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