as in stout
being compact and broad in build and often short in stature
stumpy penguins become agile swimmers the moment they hit the water
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stumpy
At one point, someone on InSight’s science team wondered if the lander’s somewhat stumpy arm could prod the solar panels, or perhaps scrape off some dust.
—
Robin George Andrews, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2022
These were kings, calmer and more aloof than the royals, going through their annual molt, their stumpy bodies a mess of patchy old plumage being pushed up and out by new growth.
—Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 14 Dec. 2021
Clearly, this was not some unmarked but common alternative route; it was studded with stumpy pine trees, and the terrain made for hard going.
—Rachel Monroe, Outside Online, 16 Oct. 2018
Previously, scientists had thought that tardigrades evolved their stumpy bodies by fusing body segments together.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 26 Jan. 2016
See All Example Sentences for stumpy
Robin George Andrews, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2022
These were kings, calmer and more aloof than the royals, going through their annual molt, their stumpy bodies a mess of patchy old plumage being pushed up and out by new growth.
—Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 14 Dec. 2021
Clearly, this was not some unmarked but common alternative route; it was studded with stumpy pine trees, and the terrain made for hard going.
—Rachel Monroe, Outside Online, 16 Oct. 2018
Previously, scientists had thought that tardigrades evolved their stumpy bodies by fusing body segments together.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 26 Jan. 2016
See All Example Sentences for stumpy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumpy
Adjective
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Any question which of those teams has a stout and sturdy offensive line?—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
20 Oct. 2025
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Uwazurike has played 37% of Denver’s defensive snaps so far, has been stout against the run, and now has logged sacks in back-to-back games.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Gearing is selected via the stubby indicator, with the starter button part of the mechanism.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
12 Oct. 2025
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Newt, meanwhile, was a 40-pound boxer mix with notably stubby legs.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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It was bred from the American pit bull terrier and several bulldog breeds—including the English bulldog and American bulldog—to create a strong, stocky dog with a gentler temperament than traditional pit bulls.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
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However, Schwarber looks like a player right out of the old school with his stocky build.—
John Perrotto,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Healthy roots are plump and silvery, white, or green in color.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
19 Oct. 2025
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Ten years and innumerable pounds of corn later, Laws Whiskey House still uses the plump and sweet grain from Burlington.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Early on, many Falcons players and coaches misinterpreted his squatty 6-foot-3-ish, 305-pound frame and notably rounded midsection as a lack of athleticism.—
Josh Kendall,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
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Trifles are the high heels of desserts, standing tall and showing out in a crowd of squatty pies, sheet cakes, and brownies.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
Any question which of those teams has a stout and sturdy offensive line?—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
20 Oct. 2025
-
If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stumpy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumpy. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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