PORTLY Synonyms: 124 Similar and Opposite Words

portly

adjective

ˈpȯrt-lē

Definition of portly

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

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 The portly, silver-haired son of a Breton fisherman viewed himself as a man with a mission — to keep France French under the banner of the National Front. — Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025 Oh, and being a bit on the portly side couldn't hurt one's chance's, either. — Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 22 July 2023 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 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 See All Example Sentences for portly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for portly

Adjective

Meanwhile, nano-hyaluronic acid and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid draw in and hold onto moisture, leaving skin feeling plump and supple without weighing it down.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 7 Oct. 2026
The brothel is huge and painted black, like a plump beetle luxuriating in the sun, and the opulence of its internal decoration is matched by Kate herself.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of plump

Adjective

When houses squeeze into their lots, vehicles grow more imposing, and storefronts battle for attention, the problem is no longer simply whether something is beautiful or ugly.

— Debbie Millman, Time, 18 Aug. 2026
Propaganda posters from the era from both the democratic United States and the Axis powers surround the imposing, heavy-duty boots, covered in animal hair and insulation.

— Douglas Markowitz, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026

Definition of imposing

Adjective

Holsteins offer exceptional milk volume, but breeds such as the Jersey cow produce milk with a greater concentration of fat and other solids.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026
All is peaceful under the long, lazy loggia laden with vibrant fuschia bougainvillaea – the Passeggiata dei Monaci – and in the neat orchards low-hanging with fat, bobbly Amalfi lemons.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of fat

Adjective

Abdel El Manira, a distinguished professor at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and a member of the Nobel committee, said at the prize announcement that optogenetics' impacts extend beyond our understanding of the healthy brain.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 5 Oct. 2026
Among his distinguished awards are the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2012 and an Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2017 by the French Ministry of Culture.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of distinguished

Adjective

The toys are translucent, round squishy balls with cartoon faces, glitter-like particles and water beads inside.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
And at the top tier, above Skydance, were the Paramount mountain, the Warners shield, and … the round DC bullet.

— Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026