as in belly
an enlarged or bulging abdomen
Santa is depicted as a white-bearded man with a big paunch
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of paunch
Still — the slim build, though it’s now accented with a slight paunch.
—
Mitchell S. Jackson, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2023
And after conferring with Haynes, Melton decided to gain 40 pounds for the role, smoothing out his sharp jawline and adding a suburban-dad paunch.
—Kyle Buchanan, New York Times, 26 Nov. 2023
My bullet had hit behind the shoulder and exited the paunch.
—Will Brantley, Field & Stream, 7 Sep. 2023
He’s played by Slattery’s Mad Men compatriot Jon Hamm with a bit of a scruff, a bit of a paunch, and a touch of melancholy.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for paunch
Mitchell S. Jackson, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2023
And after conferring with Haynes, Melton decided to gain 40 pounds for the role, smoothing out his sharp jawline and adding a suburban-dad paunch.
—Kyle Buchanan, New York Times, 26 Nov. 2023
My bullet had hit behind the shoulder and exited the paunch.
—Will Brantley, Field & Stream, 7 Sep. 2023
He’s played by Slattery’s Mad Men compatriot Jon Hamm with a bit of a scruff, a bit of a paunch, and a touch of melancholy.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for paunch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paunch
Noun
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Between the lines: Other prominent liberals have ventured into the belly of the beast with a different mindset — engage in fierce but respectful debate with the goal of publicly exposing MAGA's flaws.—
Zachary Basu,
Axios,
14 Mar. 2025
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One puppeteer uses tubing to add blood and other fluids at appropriate points during the birth; the other has an arm inside the hollow pregnant belly in order to squeeze the silicone baby out of the vaginal canal.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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As floodwaters from the Swannanoa River rose to stomach level inside their house on Sept. 27, Mills’ 24-year-old son hacked his way through the attic ceiling with a chef’s knife and a hammer so the family could get atop the roof.—
Ames Alexander,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Mar. 2025
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Harper developed a fever and began complaining of stomach pain.—
Jordan Greene,
People.com,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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For Valenti’s current foster pig, a black and white potbelly named Arnold, that means screaming around 5 p.m. demanding to be fed for dinner time or digging up acorns buried by squirrels in the backyard.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
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The train car features a sitting area, kitchenette, gas potbelly stove, bathroom and king-sized bed.—
Celia Fernandez,Mickey Todiwala,
CNBC,
11 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paunch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paunch. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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