as in plump
having an excess of body fat
a roly-poly baby who grew into a slender child
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Recent Examples of roly-poly
Every few weeks a letter or phone call requesting a conference with Zilpha and Jaron came from Mr. Darwin, the school resource manager, a roly-poly man with a lovely voice.
—
Annie Proulx, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2025
But like a roly-poly, the gömböc is round in places.
—Elise Cutts, Wired News, 10 Aug. 2025
Regardless of what they’re called, most people know exactly what an armadillo looks like, with its roly-poly armored form and weird shuffling walk.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 July 2025
Imagine instead your mother’s delight in you as a baby, in all your sweet-smelling, roly-poly nudeness.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 June 2025
People were bamboozled by the roly-poly big-eyed cuteness — such clips have drawn in millions of viewers.
—Brian Munoz, NPR, 24 Jan. 2025
Imagine a pale roly-poly the size of a muskrat wandering the seafloor.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
The same whimsy that makes roly-poly Santa cookies special is what makes the now-classic Santa mug trend a must-try this holiday season.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2024
Annie Proulx, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2025
But like a roly-poly, the gömböc is round in places.
—Elise Cutts, Wired News, 10 Aug. 2025
Regardless of what they’re called, most people know exactly what an armadillo looks like, with its roly-poly armored form and weird shuffling walk.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 July 2025
Imagine instead your mother’s delight in you as a baby, in all your sweet-smelling, roly-poly nudeness.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 June 2025
People were bamboozled by the roly-poly big-eyed cuteness — such clips have drawn in millions of viewers.
—Brian Munoz, NPR, 24 Jan. 2025
Imagine a pale roly-poly the size of a muskrat wandering the seafloor.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
The same whimsy that makes roly-poly Santa cookies special is what makes the now-classic Santa mug trend a must-try this holiday season.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roly-poly
Adjective
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At the top of that list is a hyaluronic acid serum that traps moisture and leaves my skin noticeably plump and dewy.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
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Fall is the prime time for planting garlic to grow your own large, plump cloves.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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And when eaten in moderation, its fat content can contribute to satiety, helping meals feel more filling.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
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Step one is to reduce body fat, especially belly fat.—
Bryant Stamford,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Butterhead Butterhead lettuce has a small head with round leaves.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
3 Sep. 2025
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Round Dining Tables For apartment dwellers looking to make the most of their space, round tables have a light, airy feel that helps maximize smaller areas.—
Jamie Fischer,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Roly-poly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roly-poly. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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