below 1 of 3

preposition

Definition of belownext
1
as in beneath
in a lower position than for the photo she sat below everyone else, on the floor actually

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in after
subsequent to in time or order that ranks a little below a root canal on my list of things I'd want to experience

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

below

2 of 3

adverb

bi-ˈlō How to pronounce below (audio)
1
as in underneath
in or to a lower place the skipper climbed below to fix the engine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in down
toward or in a lower position when rock climbing I just know that if I look below, I'll become paralyzed with fear

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

below

3 of 3

adjective

as in lower

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 below
Preposition
After a period of over-the-limit warming, the new strategy envisions getting back below the limit by ending fossil fuel use and developing some kind of way to suck industries' carbon dioxide out of the air. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 Meanwhile, high temperatures through the rest of the week will hold 15 to 20 degrees below average for this time of year. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Adverb
Kamayan, the acclaimed Filipino restaurant on Buford Highway, moved to a new space next door to its original location but never experienced an interruption of service, so it is not included in the list of new openings below. — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 1 Sep. 2026 During the day, the sleeping platform folds up to clear standing height in the pickup bed below. — New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026
Adjective
The below-average pass rush means the vulnerable secondary could be overly exposed. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026 As the field attracts more talent and resources, the below guidelines can help steer efforts. — Jamil Wyne, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for below
Recent Examples of Synonyms for below
  1. beneath
  2. after
  3. underneath
  4. down
  5. lower
  6. under
  7. behind
  8. bottom
Preposition
  • Together, these findings pointed to uneven conditions beneath the road.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • These compounds concentrate at the skin and the layer of flesh just beneath it.
    — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of beneath
Preposition
  • Add a thin layer of topsoil after aerating to ensure an even lawn surface for overseeding.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Thompson said that Williams struck up their friendship after they during an English class on Zoom.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of after
Adverb
  • My uniform was fishnets with Ugg boots that went up to my knees, shorts and two layered tank tops or a collared shirt with a tank top underneath and the collar open.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The auditable system underneath is what regulators certify, auditors sample and courts subpoena.
    — Rob Green, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of underneath
Adverb
  • If all these additional investments pan out, only 10% of the world’s oil will need to travel through the Strait of Hormuz, down from 20% before the war.
    — Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Tehran's crude loadings are down about 70% in August from 893,000 bpd last month.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of down
Adjective
  • Despite those lower court rulings, the practice has continued nationally, said Gregory Chen, the senior director of government relations for the Immigration Lawyers Association.
    — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 3 Sep. 2025
  • And ultimately, the Supreme Court overruled those lower court rulings and did declare the embryos as children qualifying under the wrongful death statute.
    — Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024
Definition of lower
Preposition
  • Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez provided the margin to prevent a tie, which under House rules is the same as a measure failing outright.
    — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 2 Sep. 2026
  • It was first released in November 2025 under a different name .
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of under
Preposition
  • As more cars wrecked behind the incident, NASCAR was forced to throw the caution flag — freezing the field with Preece in front.
    — Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The court had also been used for basketball, with the hoops still up behind the baseline.
    — Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of behind
Adjective
  • This jacket has a lot going for it, but our favorite part is the button along the bottom hem.
    — Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The top and bottom stripes, each of which is just as wide but twice as tall as the middle stripe, are respectively pink and blue, and the middle stripe is purple.
    — Brian Duignan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of bottom

Phrases Containing below

Browse Nearby Words

beloveds
below
belowground
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Cite this Entry

“Below.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/below. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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