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

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2
3
as in back
a vulnerable point the vast, thinly guarded southern border was obviously the underbelly of the nation's line of defense

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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 Last fall, Boom applied patches of the material during testing of its experimental XB-1 to its underbelly. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 3 May 2025 The underbellies of Android 15 and One UI 7 have a completely new framework, which allows Samsung to incorporate a lot of efficiencies systemwide. PCMAG, 24 Jan. 2025 Stories that explore the underbelly of this incredibly complex city. Angel Saunders, People.com, 19 May 2025 The material is applied in small sections across the underbelly, and each section can be removed for maintenance and repairs. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for underbelly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underbelly
Noun
  • Critics, among them Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims, have claimed Maxwell’s father held ties to the Mossad, arguing that Epstein was involved in a shadowy underworld connected to an intelligence apparatus.
    Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 22 July 2025
  • Pulp Fiction, about two hitmen — portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta — and how their exploits intersect with the lives of a cast of characters existing in the criminal underworld of Los Angeles, also stars Bruce Willis, Tim Roth, Christopher Walken and Harvey Keitel.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 20 July 2025
Noun
  • Like the official Pro Controller, this features programmable buttons on the underside of the hand grips.
    Matt Kamen, Wired News, 20 July 2025
  • Lawson points at what looks like nothing more than a pale speck on the underside of a leaf.
    Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025
Noun
  • From there, Glenn climbed the ladder, progressing from assistant defensive backs coach for the Browns to defensive backs coach for the Saints, to Lions’ defensive coordinator in 2021.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 23 July 2025
  • At this point, the defensive back remains a free agent and seems motivated by his former team to get back out on the field and make an impact.
    Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Noun
  • Here's which other states are at the bottom of the list.
    Allison Kiehl, Nashville Tennessean, 15 July 2025
  • The attorney said that, after police arrived, there was a low-speed collision, Byron Jackson and an officer ended up at the bottom of a ravine and the South Carolina resident was handcuffed.
    Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Indeed, there is a chance the feline has a soft spot for the woman's roomie.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
  • Her husband had always had a soft spot for yams and was glad for the sudden bounty.
    Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 30 June 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

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Cite this Entry

“Underbelly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underbelly. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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