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 nontoxic, antioxidant-rich lip oils are made with calming botanicals to deliver soft, plump, hydrated lips.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
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Sure, the injury excuse is sitting right there, plump and inviting.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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Wembanyama and the Spurs look far more imposing than Jokić and those Nuggets did two years ago.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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But five-piece Lelek, adorned with markings historically designed to fend off threats from the Ottoman Empire, still make for a formidable, imposing, and curiously bewitching presence.—
Jon O'Brien,
Vulture,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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In certain people, the submandibular glands—as well as the adjacent fat pockets and digastric muscles (which aid in swallowing, chewing, and speech)—can give a look of fullness, blunting the border between the face and neck.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
14 May 2026
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Figueira starts by grilling the beef over charcoal and wood until the fat cap renders into something approaching gold.—
Heide Brandes,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Christopher Abbott, Jon Bernthal, Rose Byrne, Carrie Coon, Ayo Edebiri, Alden Ehrenreich, Luke Evans, Daniel Radcliffe, Laurie Metcalf and Lea Michele are just a sampling of the big-name performers nominated today for 2026 New York Drama League Awards in the distinguished performances category.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
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Helicopters and trailers arrived in large numbers, famous faces and a distinguished director settled in near grazing cattle, and the cameras started rolling.—
Marnie Hunter,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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The cheapest routes are based on the averages of the company’s cheapest round-trip flight prices on economy class, according to their methodology.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
20 May 2026
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The island tree is shorter and bushier, its bark thicker and its cones rounder than the mainland tree.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portly. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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