as in stout
being compact and broad in build and often short in stature
stumpy penguins become agile swimmers the moment they hit the water
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stumpy
At one point, someone on InSight’s science team wondered if the lander’s somewhat stumpy arm could prod the solar panels, or perhaps scrape off some dust.
—
Robin George Andrews, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2022
These were kings, calmer and more aloof than the royals, going through their annual molt, their stumpy bodies a mess of patchy old plumage being pushed up and out by new growth.
—Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 14 Dec. 2021
Clearly, this was not some unmarked but common alternative route; it was studded with stumpy pine trees, and the terrain made for hard going.
—Rachel Monroe, Outside Online, 16 Oct. 2018
Previously, scientists had thought that tardigrades evolved their stumpy bodies by fusing body segments together.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 26 Jan. 2016
See All Example Sentences for stumpy
Robin George Andrews, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2022
These were kings, calmer and more aloof than the royals, going through their annual molt, their stumpy bodies a mess of patchy old plumage being pushed up and out by new growth.
—Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 14 Dec. 2021
Clearly, this was not some unmarked but common alternative route; it was studded with stumpy pine trees, and the terrain made for hard going.
—Rachel Monroe, Outside Online, 16 Oct. 2018
Previously, scientists had thought that tardigrades evolved their stumpy bodies by fusing body segments together.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 26 Jan. 2016
See All Example Sentences for stumpy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumpy
Adjective
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The short and stout table lamp is positively good enough to eat.—
Francesca Perry,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
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At just under 34 inches tall, this stout king can be freestanding but also fits neatly under counters, which are typically 35 to 40 inches high.—
Emily Saladino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Alongside Lincoln Park, the small Parque de Mexico has what looks like a stubby Stonehenge of empty plinths.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
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Short stubby legs and a rounded headboard also amplify the twee appeal of the frame.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That rep, and dozens of others like it, formed the foundation for the Broncos’ interest in the stocky Coleman — their chosen running back among a long list available on Day 3 of the NFL Draft.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
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Platform legs give this modern hutch a lighter presence than some of the stocky silhouettes on this list while also providing possibilities for under storage.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Packed with multiple forms of hyaluronic acid, this milky lotion promises plump, glassy skin.—
Anita Bhagwandas,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
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Niacinamide helps brighten and even things out, while hyaluronic acid floods skin with hydration for a plump, fresh look.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Sit with your feet wide apart and elevate them on blocks, stools, or a squatty potty to lift your knees above your hips.—
Cory Martin,
Verywell Health,
30 Oct. 2025
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Early on, many Falcons players and coaches misinterpreted his squatty 6-foot-3-ish, 305-pound frame and notably rounded midsection as a lack of athleticism.—
Josh Kendall,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The team-captain label and All-American honors help, but the real selling points are Schrauth’s sturdy frame, strong hands and a physical style that works in tight quarters.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
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In an untitled work from 1995, a cluster of sturdy wagons sits at the edge of a frozen lake, a site where her family of peripatetic horse traders often camped.—
Ben Davis,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stumpy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumpy. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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