PORTLY Synonyms: 124 Similar and Opposite Words

portly

adjective

ˈpȯrt-lē

Definition of portly

as in plump

having an excess of body fat a portly gentleman who loved to cook for his family and friends

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of portly The portly, silver-haired son of a Breton fisherman viewed himself as a man with a mission — to keep France French under the banner of the National Front. — Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025 Oh, and being a bit on the portly side couldn't hurt one's chance's, either. — Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 22 July 2023 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 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 See All Example Sentences for portly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for portly

Adjective

An InStyle editor’s mom swears by the Mario Badescu Super Collagen Mask for plump, firm, even skin.

— Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026
Where Raphael’s infant Christ is plump, acquiescent, docile, Cassatt’s children squirm, resist, and ignore authority.

— Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of plump

Adjective

Propaganda posters from the era from both the democratic United States and the Axis powers surround the imposing, heavy-duty boots, covered in animal hair and insulation.

— Douglas Markowitz, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
The source of Soloviev’s angst lay in part in growing up with a father who was one of the more imposing, cantankerous figures in the history of New York real estate — a demographic with stiff competition.

— Reeves Wiedeman, Curbed, 22 June 2026

Definition of imposing

Adjective

This indoor cat formula is lower in calories and fat than its kitten food.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
However, for other mobile carriers and their prospective investors, their collective moats don’t seem anywhere near defensive enough to justify a fat valuation metric.

— Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of fat

Adjective

The trail is a steep 6-mile round-trip hike in Los Padres National Forest, offering sweeping panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.

— Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
Entering play in round four at the 2026 Wyndham Championship, Beau Hossler leads with a score of -16.

— Data Skrive, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026