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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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
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Set against the architectural rigor and historical weight of one of Northern Italy’s most imposing villas, models Arthur Hargous and Svetlana Lethelier appear solo or as a couple sporting key looks of the spring 2026 collection paraded in Paris in October.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
17 Feb. 2026
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The team had already excavated the other three corners of a narrow tomb occupied by an imposing, unnamed sarcophagus.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Botanical knowledge was passed on in verse, which is easier to remember, so a gardener knew to place raspberries next to roses, that September was the best time to transplant gooseberries and currants, and that sowing edible weeds like fat hen and thistle between the crops serves as a living mulch.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
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Key Takeaways Macros (protein, carbs, and fat) are primary nutrients the human body needs in large amounts.—
Angela Ryan Lee,
Verywell Health,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Not only did the 18-year-old make his senior debut for Chelsea in the FA Cup away to Hull City, but a few days earlier, without fans knowing, the forward took on the distinguished role of club mascot, Stamford the Lion.—
Caoimhe O'Neill,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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Kristen Monroe is the chancellor’s distinguished professor and director of the Ethics Center at the University of California at Irvine.—
Kristen Monroe,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The 6-foot Paul recorded a triple-double with 21 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in a 65-35 win against San Jacinto Leadership Academy in a Division 7 first round game.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
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The most popular shape is round (26 percent), followed by oval (25 percent).—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portly. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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