as in plump
having an excess of body fat
a roly-poly baby who grew into a slender child
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Tortellini are plump and tender after simmering in the sauce—no need to cook them before adding to the pan.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2025
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Pre-soaked for easy use, each pad combines retinol and collagen for smoothing and added firmness, making your skin feel refreshed, plump and revitalized in one easy step.—
Maria Correa,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Kennedy has inspired Steak n' Shake to switch back to tallow — which is rendered beef fat — for cooking its fries.—
Sarah Boden,
NPR,
14 Mar. 2025
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Each branch of the military sets its own fitness and grooming standards, with new male Air Force recruits now allowed to have 26 percent body fat, up from 20 percent, and women 36 percent, up from 28 percent.—
Ellen Mitchell,
The Hill,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The combination of a round brush and hair dryer lifts roots while detangling and smoothing hair.—
Kylee McGuigan,
Vogue,
12 Mar. 2025
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Rocket Arena will later host men's first round March Madness games on March 21 and 23.—
Sam Allard,
Axios,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Roly-poly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roly-poly. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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