1
as in plump
having an excess of body fat
a portly gentleman who loved to cook for his family and friends
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2
as in imposing
having or showing a formal and serious or reserved manner
walked with the portly grace of the grande dame that she was
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Recent Examples of portly
In Facebook groups dedicated to Texas barbecue fandom, a recently popular meme shows a portly man dancing on a stripper pole.
—
Elizabeth Findell, WSJ, 9 Mar. 2022
Made of steel, the watch had in its dial a sketch of a portly man, his face framed by round glasses and his broad shoulders clad in a wide-lapelled jacket.
—Sonia Paul, Wired, 1 Mar. 2022
That’s when the portly orphan, who was riding in the van with her, slices off her face to wear it as his own.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 Feb. 2022
One day, Lem held forth about H. G. Wells and Jules Verne to a portly man who turned out to run a publishing house.
—Caleb Crain, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for portly
Elizabeth Findell, WSJ, 9 Mar. 2022
Made of steel, the watch had in its dial a sketch of a portly man, his face framed by round glasses and his broad shoulders clad in a wide-lapelled jacket.
—Sonia Paul, Wired, 1 Mar. 2022
That’s when the portly orphan, who was riding in the van with her, slices off her face to wear it as his own.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 Feb. 2022
One day, Lem held forth about H. G. Wells and Jules Verne to a portly man who turned out to run a publishing house.
—Caleb Crain, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for portly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portly
Adjective
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This viral scientific mission even included a plump starfish resembling a beloved cartoon character.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
25 Aug. 2025
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Nurtured the little green balls into plump, juicy fruits.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In many ways, Eze feels a throwback Arsenal player, the kind of footballer blessed with supreme technique and control in tight spaces, rather than the more imposing figures like Declan Rice and Merino that Arteta has recruited.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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Proposals ranged from turning the block into a public pavilion to adding a fabric facade around the current building to give it a less imposing look.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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So people call me fat and ugly and old-looking, but that’s nothing to do with me.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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The fat, fiber and protein found in macadamia nuts can help regulate your blood glucose, says Lvova.—
Caroline C. Boyle,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Brandon Barre Photography Born From a Bet: The Legendary Origin of The Vinoy The Vinoy first flung open its distinguished doors on New Year’s Eve in 1925, welcoming in a new era of luxury for the Gulf Coast.—
Katie Lara,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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Murder Club is one of those productions that, like the Harry Potter films, gives employment to seemingly every distinguished British performer over the age of 40.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Yoo wears round wire-frame glasses and sweeps his dark hair back; Schat describes herself as a tomboy and keeps her hair in a pixie cut.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
27 Aug. 2025
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As Jack Draper stepped up to serve in the third set of his US Open first round match against Federico Agustín Gómez on Monday, the British star threw up on court.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portly. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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