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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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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Each winter, a selection of international artisans have free reign to carve their designs into ephemeral Art Suites, whose elaborate beds—topped with plump mattresses, reindeer hides, and sleeping bags—are truly beyond imagination.—
Kathryn Romeyn,
Architectural Digest,
9 Mar. 2026
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These varieties produce juicy, plump strawberries, which are perfect for a summer harvest.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 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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Next Tuesday, Simpson is scheduled to have a mastectomy on the side with three tumors and a lump removal on the other, with reconstructive surgery to move fat and an artery from her abdomen to replace the removed breast.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
11 Mar. 2026
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Tom couldn’t get the lean down but ate a few bites of fat.—
Elwyn "Bud" Myers,
Outdoor Life,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Humbert School was the creation of its director, John Cooney, a distinguished journalist and major historian.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
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Dennis Ross is the counselor and a distinguished fellow at the Washington Institute.—
Dennis Ross,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The man at the gun shop looked at Martinez, a small woman with round eyes and rosy cheeks, and recommended the pistol, which fit nicely in her hands.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
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The venue is scheduled to hold seven matches during the World Cup, including a round-of-32 game and a quarterfinal.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portly. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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