as in stout
being compact and broad in build and often short in stature
a short, thickset bulldog
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Recent Examples of thickset
The passenger door opened and a thickset man with a short beard and mustache got out.
—
Jamie Quatro, Harper's Magazine, 2 Aug. 2024
There’s a thickset dashboard dotted with prominent air vents and a thick, smooth center section that connects the door panels.
—Andrew Wendler, Car and Driver, 8 Aug. 2023
Julia's grandmother Zora was short and thickset and typical of the women of her generation in that her days consisted of brief breaks between cooking and cleaning—if not grocery shopping or preparing a meal, she could be found scrubbing the Khrushchyovka apartment with great fa- naticism.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 4 May 2021
And, with two big interior pockets, protective metal feet, and thickset handles, your luggage can accommodate everything this lifestyle entails.
—Irene Richardson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2023
The thickset prison administrator, known as Bawar to his friends, had been keenly aware that the prison was vulnerable to assault.
—Washington Post, 5 Feb. 2022
The hotel's two restaurants, an offshoot of the Beefbar, and Biancaneve, are awash with more banquettes upholstered in colorful cozy fabrics arranged around thickset wood tables, a nod to the hotel's Alpine location.
—Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 31 Jan. 2022
The lecturer, a short, thickset man with a ruddy face and a big voice, was coming to the end of his talk.
—Joseph Loconte, National Review, 31 Aug. 2019
Jamie Quatro, Harper's Magazine, 2 Aug. 2024
There’s a thickset dashboard dotted with prominent air vents and a thick, smooth center section that connects the door panels.
—Andrew Wendler, Car and Driver, 8 Aug. 2023
Julia's grandmother Zora was short and thickset and typical of the women of her generation in that her days consisted of brief breaks between cooking and cleaning—if not grocery shopping or preparing a meal, she could be found scrubbing the Khrushchyovka apartment with great fa- naticism.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 4 May 2021
And, with two big interior pockets, protective metal feet, and thickset handles, your luggage can accommodate everything this lifestyle entails.
—Irene Richardson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2023
The thickset prison administrator, known as Bawar to his friends, had been keenly aware that the prison was vulnerable to assault.
—Washington Post, 5 Feb. 2022
The hotel's two restaurants, an offshoot of the Beefbar, and Biancaneve, are awash with more banquettes upholstered in colorful cozy fabrics arranged around thickset wood tables, a nod to the hotel's Alpine location.
—Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 31 Jan. 2022
The lecturer, a short, thickset man with a ruddy face and a big voice, was coming to the end of his talk.
—Joseph Loconte, National Review, 31 Aug. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thickset
Adjective
-
Saddleback Caterpillar has a stout, brown body about an inch long with a bright green rectangle and an oval saddle marking on its back.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Despite McDermott’s stance on the proposal, the Bills — who boast a similarly stout quarterback in Josh Allen — have run a version of play, too.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Some of the more notable characteristics of the American Badger is its stocky body with very short and powerful legs.—
Stan Tekiela,
Twin Cities,
11 Jan. 2024
-
An hour ago, the stocky British actor best known on these shores for playing tough guys and gangsters was on a morning talk show, after having chatted with Jimmy Fallon the previous evening.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In other words, ceramides help to keep your skin tone plump and even.—
Taylor Lane,
Flow Space,
4 Apr. 2025
-
This gooey essence hydrates, soothes, and leaves skin looking plump without feeling greasy.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
It’s built from a sturdy metal base with a solid wood and plywood frame and has a swivel design that rotates 360 degrees.—
Megan Schaltegger,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until this storm passes.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This beautiful Easter garland, on sale for $79.99 at Wayfair, is opulent and thick with twigs and pastel eggs that run throughout.—
Nora Colomer,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Twangy bass lines thick enough to saw down a redwood tree are shredded with shivers of electric guitar to create a blues sound that cuts a hole straight through the decades.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The woman described the robbery suspect as a heavyset man with a beard, police said.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
20 Dec. 2024
-
Armenta is a tall, heavyset man in his forties with a resonant baritone voice; Arias—three years younger, shorter, and thinner—sounds comically chirpy by comparison.—
Stephania Taladrid,
The New Yorker,
26 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Thickset.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thickset. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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