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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The chili verde is soft and succulent and the plump chicken pairs well with any of the three salsas brought to the table.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Unlike the ones now rotting on Ian Chandler’s farm, these had a chance to be harvested by hand and are in their prime — plump and juicy and ready to eat.—
David Culver,
CNN Money,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Proposals ranged from turning the block into a public pavilion to adding a fabric facade around the current building to give it a less imposing look.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
19 July 2025
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The far more imposing limit is MLS’s global standing.—
Jeff Rueter,
The Athletic,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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If my family mocked me for being fat as a child, then that was true.—
Akwaeke Emezi
August 18,
Literary Hub,
18 Aug. 2025
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This may be because fat tissue in the body affects hormone levels.—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The event will bestow the iconic BAFTA mask upon three distinguished honorees, marking only the sixth time that the BAFTA mask is awarded in the U.S., marking a significant milestone for BAFTA North America.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
14 Aug. 2025
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Friendly House will grant each honoree a separate award for their distinguished efforts and accomplishments.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, a £25million signing from Chelsea, slots into the No 10 position vacated by Abdoulaye Doucoure, while Carlos Alcaraz edges out Dwight McNeil to be Everton’s square peg in a round hole on the right flank.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
15 Aug. 2025
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The Packers are giving Morgan — their first round draft pick in 2024 — every chance to win the job, though.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portly. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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