stumpy

adjective

ˈstəm-pē How to pronounce stumpy (audio)
stumpier; stumpiest
Synonyms of stumpynext
1
: short and thick : stubby
2
: full of stumps

Synonyms of stumpy

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Examples of stumpy in a Sentence

stumpy penguins become agile swimmers the moment they hit the water
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This adorable costume looks poised to rule over The Masked Singer stage with a flick of her paw and a wag of her stumpy tail. — Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Jan. 2026 These were kings, calmer and more aloof than the royals, going through their annual molt, their stumpy bodies a mess of patchy old plumage being pushed up and out by new growth. — Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 14 Dec. 2021 Clearly, this was not some unmarked but common alternative route; it was studded with stumpy pine trees, and the terrain made for hard going. — Rachel Monroe, Outside Online, 16 Oct. 2018 These members of the squash family produce fruits in all different shapes, sizes, and colors; there are huge ones, tiny ones, stumpy ones, tall ones, and even bumpy ones. — Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Nov. 2022 See All Example Sentences for stumpy

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stumpy was in 1600

Rhymes for stumpy

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Browse Nearby Words

stump work
stumpy
stums
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Cite this Entry

“Stumpy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stumpy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

stumpy

adjective
ˈstəm-pē How to pronounce stumpy (audio)
stumpier; stumpiest
1
: short and thick : squat
2
: full of stumps
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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