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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Example Sentences
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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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Each of the six shades are packed with vegan collagen, aloe, and seawater to keep skin juicy and plump.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
18 Apr. 2025
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The glosses are cruelty free and vegan, with a non-sticky formula and long-lasting, glossy finish that leaves lips looking hydrated and plump.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The far more imposing limit is MLS’s global standing.—
Jeff Rueter,
The Athletic,
8 Feb. 2025
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And on the other hand, in a world where most of their top arms remain healthy and effective, the Dodgers could possess one of the most imposing starting pitching staffs in recent memory.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The researchers also found that women who started menopause later had better lipid (fat) levels and fewer oxidative stress markers in their blood, which could explain this gap in heart health.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Health,
19 Apr. 2025
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Things got particularly ugly during 2016 presidential debates when he was asked to defend referring to women as fat pigs and slobs.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Over time, inhaling these harmful chemicals can contribute to progressive lung problems like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to Sanjay Sethi, MD, SUNY distinguished professor and chief of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine at the University at Buffalo.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
16 Apr. 2025
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Palmer was just one of several celebrities and distinguished guests who attended the Fashion Trust Awards on Tuesday.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Original price: $104 For a round, stylish frame, go with these Ottoto Bellona frames.—
Christopher Murray,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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The tournament’s round robin round begins on Dec. 26.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portly. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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