underbellies

noun

plural of underbelly
1
as in underworlds
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

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2
as in undersides
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 backs
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 underbellies The most caustic people in the world often have the softest underbellies — at least if Alden Ehrenreich is playing them. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026 Cashmere is expensive because these goats produce a limited amount of this precious fiber, found on their underbellies, and the process of obtaining the wool is labor-intensive. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026 Humpbacks congregate here, creating pufflike splashes on the horizon and flashing their fins and underbellies at all distances. — Darrell Hartman, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Aug. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underbellies
  1. underworlds
  2. undersides
  3. backs
  4. bottoms
  5. soft spots
  6. jugulars
  7. chinks
Noun
  • Robert, the son of a more-like-a-brother cousin of Carney’s, disappears, and Carney sets out to find him, navigating the dual underworlds of Harlem crime and Queens politics.
    — David Hajdu, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026
  • When the gang comes to the attention of Major Chester Campbell, a DCI in the Royal Irish Constabulary, the wheels are set in motion for adventures through the dangerous underworlds of early 20th-century Britain.
    — Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of underworlds
Noun
  • Greenling said some of the sharks had red markings on their undersides, prompting concerns about what the deaths could mean for the water.
    — Ross DiMattei, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Inspect your roses often, especially tender new growth and the undersides of leaves where pests like to hide.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of undersides
Noun
  • After being implanted beneath the skin of their backs, the tissues developed their own blood supply and began to contract spontaneously.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • One of these backs could be a healthy scratch for the opener.
    — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of backs
Noun
  • These best-selling Spanx leggings combine the stretchiness and comfort of lounge bottoms with the sleekness of leather pants.
    — Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The knit bottoms have a relaxed, straight-leg fit, an adjustable waistband, and two zippered side pockets.
    — Melony Forcier, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of bottoms
Noun
  • Fagnano was able to diagnose some of the disguises from Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores, finding soft spots in zone coverages both in the short and intermediate areas of the field.
    — Daniel Popper, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • If the fruit has wrinkles or soft spots or doesn’t smell good, don’t buy it.
    — Christina Manian, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of soft spots
Noun
  • Once Woll’s bratty vamp was through draining jugulars, the actress found a second signature role as Karen Page on Marvel’s Daredevil (2015–2018).
    — Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025
Definition of jugulars
Noun
  • The book is, in fact, a sober, evenhanded analysis of a field that, until recently, had few chinks in its armor.
    — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The result is a fiery and impassioned offering that finds the veteran fully engaged and intent on proving no chinks have been left in his armor despite his tenuous back-and-forth with his Compton counterpart.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 15 May 2026
Definition of chinks

Browse Nearby Words

underappreciated
underbellies
underbelly
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Cite this Entry

“Underbellies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underbellies. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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