as in plump
having an excess of body fat
a roly-poly baby who grew into a slender child
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Recent Examples of roly-poly
People were bamboozled by the roly-poly big-eyed cuteness — such clips have drawn in millions of viewers.
—
Brian Munoz, NPR, 24 Jan. 2025
Imagine a pale roly-poly the size of a muskrat wandering the seafloor.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
All of them opted for the adorably roly-poly breed of French bulldog.
—Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
The same whimsy that makes roly-poly Santa cookies special is what makes the now-classic Santa mug trend a must-try this holiday season.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2024
Explore a new deep-sea exhibit Giant isopods scurry like roly-poly bugs in a touch tank.
—John Metcalfe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
The damp, gray roly-poly creature is a bonafide celebrity.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
Understanding Armadillos Regardless of what they’re called, most people know exactly what an armadillo looks like, with its roly-poly armored form and weird shuffling walk.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2024
Big bellies and butts — and skinny teens and roly-poly toddlers and wiry grandpas and even Ken and Barbie look-alikes — are everywhere, all mixed in together.
—Kate Cohen, Washington Post, 22 July 2024
Brian Munoz, NPR, 24 Jan. 2025
Imagine a pale roly-poly the size of a muskrat wandering the seafloor.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
All of them opted for the adorably roly-poly breed of French bulldog.
—Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
The same whimsy that makes roly-poly Santa cookies special is what makes the now-classic Santa mug trend a must-try this holiday season.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Dec. 2024
Explore a new deep-sea exhibit Giant isopods scurry like roly-poly bugs in a touch tank.
—John Metcalfe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
The damp, gray roly-poly creature is a bonafide celebrity.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
Understanding Armadillos Regardless of what they’re called, most people know exactly what an armadillo looks like, with its roly-poly armored form and weird shuffling walk.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2024
Big bellies and butts — and skinny teens and roly-poly toddlers and wiry grandpas and even Ken and Barbie look-alikes — are everywhere, all mixed in together.
—Kate Cohen, Washington Post, 22 July 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for roly-poly
Adjective
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In other words, ceramides help to keep your skin tone plump and even.—
Taylor Lane,
Flow Space,
4 Apr. 2025
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This gooey essence hydrates, soothes, and leaves skin looking plump without feeling greasy.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Apparently, the secretary is unaware that vitamin A is fat soluble and not easily excreted, with any excess stored in the liver.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
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As estrogen levels drop, changes in cholesterol, blood pressure, inflammation and fat distribution can lead to plaque buildup in blood vessels, which is a major cause of heart disease.—
Matthew Nudy,
The Conversation,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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His signature black-rimmed eyeglasses, huge and round, are bright yellow now.—
Dodie Kazanjian,
Vogue,
1 Apr. 2025
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We are led to the living room – also the television room – where Sayed and his wife, Zainab, demonstrate how to bake round sun bread, which rises in the sun.—
Francine Kiefer,
Christian Science Monitor,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Roly-poly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roly-poly. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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