1
as in plump
having an excess of body fat
a portly gentleman who loved to cook for his family and friends
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 portly
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
Boyega had suggested a portly version of the young Sidney Poitier crossed with the facile charisma of the young Denzel Washington.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 Aug. 2021
He was locked away to serve several life sentences, aging into a portly man with a thick white beard.
—New York Times, 13 June 2021
One of my favorite shots is of a portly man in a business suit, rubbing his hands together over and over, in an age-old gesture of distress.
—Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2020
See all Example Sentences for portly 
Caleb Crain, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2022
Boyega had suggested a portly version of the young Sidney Poitier crossed with the facile charisma of the young Denzel Washington.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 Aug. 2021
He was locked away to serve several life sentences, aging into a portly man with a thick white beard.
—New York Times, 13 June 2021
One of my favorite shots is of a portly man in a business suit, rubbing his hands together over and over, in an age-old gesture of distress.
—Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2020
See all Example Sentences for portly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portly
Adjective
-
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
-
The Allure editor favorite and Reader’s Choice Award winner blends hyaluronic acid with natural lipids and other moisturizing factors—including amino acids and electrolytes—all designed to give the skin a plump, dewy look.—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
The most imposing constructions, hidden by nature, towered above the tree canopy.—
Anna Lagos,
WIRED,
2 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Peanut butter’s high fat content and low moisture prevent the growth of microorganisms like bacteria and mold, and are key factors in its long shelf life.—
Annie Peterson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Jan. 2025
-
First, instead of using BMI to define obesity, the authors propose using it as part of an initial screen to determine who should be assessed for excess body fat.—
Faye Chiu,
CNN,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Award-winning investigative reporter Chuck Goudie, who left WLS-Ch. 7 in December after a distinguished, more than 44-year career at ABC 7, has a new broadcast home, just a short distance away on the dial.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2025
-
Known for his impressive accomplishments in NASCAR, Jimmie Johnson has carved a distinguished career path inside the oval tracks.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
2 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The painting in question, titled Elimar (1889), depicts a fisherman with a round hat on his head and a pipe in his mouth.—
Francesca Aton,
ARTnews.com,
31 Jan. 2025
-
In addition to Sunday’s win, the Chiefs defeated Buffalo 27-24 in last season’s AFC Divisional round playoff game.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
27 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near portly
Cite this Entry
“Portly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portly. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share