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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The filmmaker’s high-profile doc delves into the belly of Naples, which is known for its resilience, crime and creative energy, partly by knocking on people’s doors.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
28 Feb. 2025
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The story tells us that Jonah cried out to the Lord from the belly of the fish.—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In the place of the stomach was an enormous red cavity held open by sticks in the shape of a cross.—
Joseph O’Neill,
The New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2025
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The steel coils offer plenty of firmness, great for supporting stomach sleepers and keeping their spines aligned.—
Jaylyn Pruitt,
Health,
21 Feb. 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 9 Mar. 2025.
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