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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stumpy
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
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
The fish obtain their unique shape because their back fin stops growing after birth and instead folds into itself, creating a stumpy rudder called a clavus, per National Geographic.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Dec. 2021
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
See All Example Sentences for stumpy
Rachel Monroe, Outside Online, 16 Oct. 2018
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
The fish obtain their unique shape because their back fin stops growing after birth and instead folds into itself, creating a stumpy rudder called a clavus, per National Geographic.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Dec. 2021
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
See All Example Sentences for stumpy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumpy
Adjective
-
Surrounded by one of the league’s most talented rosters, the 22-year-old has everything a first-year starter could ask for: World-class play-caller, stout offensive line, talented skill position players and sole control over the starting role.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
-
The other new veteran cornerback, Jack Jones, got work in 11-on-11 drills and had stout coverage on at least one play.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
Butler is a victim of a sinister moral panic, one in which small and jealous spirits tore down the highest targets their stubby little souls could reach.—
Armin Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
25 July 2025
-
But sadder yet is when a deer or rabbit decides to devour a young plant, leaving behind one stubby, leafless stick in the ground.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Prior to the arrival of police at the site of the deadly stabbing, a stocky bald man and a thin woman wearing her hair in a ponytail — both described as possibly homeless — were seen leaving the area in separate directions.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 July 2025
-
The priest was an Assyrian monk, a stocky, bushy-bearded man with long black hair; the girl looked to be about 11.—
John Jeremiah Sullivan James Patrick Cronin Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And three, plump, dark, juicy blackberries dotting vines all across the South just waiting to be turned into a fresh-out-of-the-oven cobbler.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
4 Aug. 2025
-
The cream is often recommended by the pros as one of the top—and most accessible—wrinkle fillers to keep the skin plump between procedures.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Some even find that using the squat position, or using a squatty potty, can help reduce straining and promote defecation, said Dr. Xue.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
That’s where Baker and his team got the idea to find the sturdiest survivors and interbreed them with their Florida siblings.—
Alex Harris
July 25,
Miami Herald,
25 July 2025
-
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until this storm passes.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stumpy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumpy. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
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