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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There were black burlat cherries, plump apricots, a basket of fragrant strawberries.—
Danielle Postel-Vinay,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
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And this peptide serum delivers, with 10 different peptides (which serve to smooth lines and plump lax skin) housed in yet another copper peptide that delivers them deep into the skin.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Remove from heat and skim fat from top; discard fat.—
Jasmine Smith,
Southern Living,
30 Oct. 2025
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According to the user, the steak was a petite sirloin—a lean cut from the sirloin region of the beef, typically lower fat than rib-eye or strip and offering good flavor when cooked correctly.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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At one point, a report broke about the Eagles being willing to offer three first round draft picks for Garrett.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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The Seahawks, who sent two mid-round draft picks to the Saints, may see Shaheed as similar to Percy Harvin.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Roly-poly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roly-poly. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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