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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At the top of that list is a hyaluronic acid serum that traps moisture and leaves my skin noticeably plump and dewy.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
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Fall is the prime time for planting garlic to grow your own large, plump cloves.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Drafted in the second round, 50th overall, last year out of TCU, the physically imposing, 6-foot-6, 250-pound lefty debuted at the Single-A level in April.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Aug. 2025
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In many ways, Eze feels a throwback Arsenal player, the kind of footballer blessed with supreme technique and control in tight spaces, rather than the more imposing figures like Declan Rice and Merino that Arteta has recruited.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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And when eaten in moderation, its fat content can contribute to satiety, helping meals feel more filling.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
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Step one is to reduce body fat, especially belly fat.—
Bryant Stamford,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Following compilation, our expert panel of distinguished cloud industry veterans conducts the evaluation and ranking process, with these leaders also empowered to suggest additional companies for consideration.—
Bessemer Venture Partners,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Meanwhile, distinguished Russian navy crew members assigned to the Yasen-M-class cruise missile submarine Krasnoyarsk were awarded medals and promoted to higher military ranks.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The classic trip is a 26-mile, four-hour round-trip from downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia, to the twin border towns of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
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The 6-ounce ramekins are round to provide even heat and are able to withstand oven temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portly. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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