1
as in underworld
a social sphere that exists outside of the mainstream
unable to get work in mainstream films, the actor ended up in Hollywood's underbelly—the porn industry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in underside
the side or part facing downward from something
the underbelly of the old submarine is in bad shape
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in back
a vulnerable point
the vast, thinly guarded southern border was obviously the underbelly of the nation's line of defense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of underbelly
Love planet Venus starts retrograding in your enigmatic eighth house on March 1, prompting a review of the hidden underbelly of all your closest bonds.
—
Nina Kahn, StyleCaster, 24 Feb. 2025
Not all barn owls have white underbellies, however; some have reddish-brown plumage instead.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
Roger Ebert famously panned it, though other critics hailed it as a brave and unsparing look at the underbelly of small-town ordinariness.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025
It’s been restored from the original camera negative, making the story of Travis Bickle’s journey through the underbelly of New York City grittier and more tactile than ever before.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for underbelly
Nina Kahn, StyleCaster, 24 Feb. 2025
Not all barn owls have white underbellies, however; some have reddish-brown plumage instead.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
Roger Ebert famously panned it, though other critics hailed it as a brave and unsparing look at the underbelly of small-town ordinariness.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025
It’s been restored from the original camera negative, making the story of Travis Bickle’s journey through the underbelly of New York City grittier and more tactile than ever before.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for underbelly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underbelly
Noun
-
Levon must pose as a drug dealer and infiltrate himself into this Chicago underworld populated by numerous stereotypical Russian Mafia types led by crime lord Wolo Kolisnyk (Jason Flemyng), and featuring his loose cannon son Dimi (Maximilian Osinski).—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2025
-
The problem’s in the criminal underworld for people who are not recognised as being from a specific community.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Look for eggs that are usually laid on the underside of the leaves.—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Charging is undertaken over USB-C, with the port located on the underside of the left hinge.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The passenger who shot him was stabbed in the back and lungs and remains in critical condition, according to CBS News.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The treadmill won as his body rolled onto its side and quickly moved him to the back and off.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Titanic remained undiscovered at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean until an expedition led by Jean-Louis Michel and Robert Ballard reached the wreck on September 1, 1985.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
10 Apr. 2025
-
To view recorded video, tap the Playback button at the bottom of the screen.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Out of all of her spring blooms, Gaines had a soft spot for the delicate ranunculus.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Most people are looking for a young and friendly family dog, but there are a few of us out there who have a soft spot for the outcasts with a bit of a temper.—
Kevin Sabet,
Newsweek,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Zachary Naegele, 24, was competing at the Conley Invitational in Palmetto, Florida, last week when the bull’s horn punctured his jugular, causing blood to stream out in a heart-pounding, caught-on-camera moment.—
Michael Dorgan,
Fox News,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Gone are the days of Ami Cusack cutting down men without hesitation or Natalie Bolton flossing her teeth with Jason Siska’s jugular.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Underbelly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underbelly. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share