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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Nearly every expectant mother who has seen the telltale line on a pregnancy test or who has searched the sonogram while the tech wands her belly knows the flash of worry: What if this little life doesn’t make it?—
Ericka Andersen,
National Review,
24 Jan. 2025
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The little dog has quickly become a favorite among the watering hole's regulars, who make sure Rex never goes long without a belly rub.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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For example, patients can experience skin rash, upset stomach and nausea, but taking the medication with food can help your body absorb the medicine better.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Jan. 2025
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The medication — taken weekly by injection in the thigh, stomach or arm — is a brand name for semaglutide, which works in the brain to impact satiety.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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For example, a mid-century handmade potbelly stove ornament doesn’t hang all that far on my tree from an arguably humiliating fifth grade craft project and Snapfish.com creation immortalizing the Germantown neighborhood's now shuttered Come Back Inn.—
Maggie Menderski,
The Courier-Journal,
18 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near paunch
Cite this Entry
“Paunch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paunch. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
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