1
as in stout
being compact and broad in build and often short in stature
dumpy little toddlers growing into lanky children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
we could only find rooms at a dumpy motel on the outskirts of the city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dumpy
Yes, the mall is underperforming, and in the middle of the concourse, there are too many dumpy little kiosks selling souvenirs.
—
Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 1 Feb. 2023
She’s not allowed to be anything more than the dumpy friend on TV.
—Sarah Madaus, SELF, 3 Feb. 2023
Goloborodko’s once disappointed father (Viktor Saraykin) is suddenly beaming with pride and determined to renovate the family’s dumpy apartment in palatial style (and to evict neighboring tenants, until his wife objects).
—David Klion, The New Republic, 7 Apr. 2022
In the northern Swedish city of Skellefteå, White Arkitekter has completed Sara Kulturhus Center, a museum-theater-library complex topped by an ostentatiously dumpy hotel tower made out of structural wood.
—Curbed, 3 Feb. 2022
See All Example Sentences for dumpy
Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 1 Feb. 2023
She’s not allowed to be anything more than the dumpy friend on TV.
—Sarah Madaus, SELF, 3 Feb. 2023
Goloborodko’s once disappointed father (Viktor Saraykin) is suddenly beaming with pride and determined to renovate the family’s dumpy apartment in palatial style (and to evict neighboring tenants, until his wife objects).
—David Klion, The New Republic, 7 Apr. 2022
In the northern Swedish city of Skellefteå, White Arkitekter has completed Sara Kulturhus Center, a museum-theater-library complex topped by an ostentatiously dumpy hotel tower made out of structural wood.
—Curbed, 3 Feb. 2022
See All Example Sentences for dumpy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dumpy
Adjective
-
San Diego State basketball has made a name for itself in recent years off the back of a stout defense.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
16 Feb. 2025
-
But on Saturday, the Heat was far more stout, albeit against a 14-32 Nets team lacking in firepower, even more so without Cam Johnson, who’s averaging 19.4 points per game.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The hotel is founded and managed by locals, who transformed a dilapidated bed-and-breakfast into a six-acre luxury hotel in 2001.—
Maya Kachroo-Levine,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Feb. 2025
-
They were forced to live in dilapidated buildings with mold, sewage, and rodent issues, and were confined to their rooms for weeks on end.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Argireline can be found in Estée Lauder’s serum alongside AHAs to promote a plump, youthful complexion.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
12 Feb. 2025
-
Get The Recipe 09 of 25 Lemony Shrimp Pasta Flex your cooking expertise with this stunning pasta, featuring plump pink shrimp, sweet fennel, and fresh basil.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
This was to help end the puppy mill industry, where dogs are bred en masse, leading them to be born and raised in filthy and neglected conditions.—
Andrew Sheeler,
Sacramento Bee,
12 Feb. 2025
-
If coordinated correctly, Trump’s tariff threats offer an enormous opportunity for America’s neglected waterfront.—
Craig Hooper,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
With the costume’s feet at knee-level, an elevated stage (and smoke machine) helped give the appearance that Klum was walking around on E.T.’s characteristically stumpy legs.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN,
1 Nov. 2024
-
The heron turns out to be a stumpy man in a costume.—
Moeko Fujii,
The New Yorker,
2 May 2024
Adjective
-
But the stocky, six-foot-two Aucklander’s addition to the predictions has sparked the bookmakers’ interest.—
Julia Ranney,
The Athletic,
13 Feb. 2025
-
This type of dolphin with its stocky body and bulbous head can weigh as much as 1,100 pounds and reach up to 13 feet long.—
NBC Bay Area staff,
NBC News,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Among albums, Four Symbols is the sturdiest winner.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
-
The additional accessories include two cloth liners, a sturdy lame with a wooden handle, four spare lame blades and a blade cover.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Graham has a stubby build and some prospects are more athletic.—
Matt Barrows,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Elephants, for instance, became tapirs, with stubby trunks and legs.—
Caroline Winterer / Made by History,
TIME,
14 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dumpy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dumpy. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share