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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All of this bounty was contained in a tortilla that is pleasingly plump without being structurally compromised.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
6 Nov. 2025
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There were black burlat cherries, plump apricots, a basket of fragrant strawberries.—
Danielle Postel-Vinay,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The most imposing building on Main Street is a gun shop called Chandler’s Firearms Estates, on the corner of East Church Street.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
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In fact, the Sens could’ve benefitted from them being more imposing.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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McRib nutritional facts Per McDonald's nutritional facts, a McRib has 520 calories, 28 grams of fat, 24 grams of protein and 46 grams of carbs.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
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Many of those fish were taken in the fall, when mullet were fat with roe.—
Steve Waters,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The evening convenes business and government leaders, distinguished military representatives and dignitaries to honor the military and veteran community, which is one of Harry's close causes.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
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The two-time Ivy League graduate and distinguished attorney has already penned multiple books that topped The New York Times bestsellers list.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The matriarch of the legendary football family and mother of Jason Kelce and younger brother Chiefs tight end, and Swift fiancé Travis Kelce, looks menacingly at the camera as her profile is reflected in a round mirror in the background.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
11 Nov. 2025
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So, George drove 100 miles round-trip two days in a row just to visit.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portly. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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