underbelly

noun

ˈən-dər-ˌbe-lē How to pronounce underbelly (audio)
Definition of underbellynext
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

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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 But the Stones’ undying love of blues shines through in 18 songs that revel in the seamy underbelly of America. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 July 2026 Reporters expose an underbelly of developments that affect lives and livelihoods. — Gypsy Guillén Kaiser, Fortune, 23 June 2026 The new aircraft eschews the Kennedy-era robin's-egg blue exterior of the old plane for a bolder look, with the underbelly of the plane painted navy blue with a red stripe above it. — Arkansas Online, 20 June 2026 Afterwards, in the stadium’s underbelly, Kaka, Rivaldo and Bebeto mingled with fans. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for underbelly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underbelly
  1. underworld
  2. underside
  3. back
  4. bottom
  5. soft spot
  6. jugular
Noun
  • The unlicensed recovery center underworld ranges from places that pamper patients with space and very personal care by licensed medical professionals to places that cram patients into spaces minded by people with limited or no medical training.
    — DAVID J. NEAL, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
  • After slowly changing the theatrical underworld as the king of midnight movies, Curry spent the rest of his acting career gleefully refusing to be pinned down.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of underworld
Noun
  • Stick Velcro dots to the underside of the felt at the top and bottom, reinforcing the adhesive under the Velcro dots with a little bit of hot glue.
    — Jodi Levine, Parents, 21 Aug. 2026
  • But Beaty argued that the underside of the roof eaves are 20 feet above the scaffolding and that scaffolding hasn’t been erected around the rest of the marble building to protect it or examine other parts of the roof.
    — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of underside
Noun
  • Going into the summer, recruiting a left-back was on the agenda, though Newcastle feel Dedic and Livramento’s ability to play down both flanks provides enough cover.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Lucas fired four gunshots into Piper's back, and Rice and Byrd ran inside to call for help, court records say.
    — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of back
Noun
  • The soft, stretchy fabric moves with you across terminals without bunching or binding, and because the top and bottom are already matched, getting dressed at the crack of dawn requires zero thought.
    — Jill Layton, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The Twins struck back with three runs in the bottom of the first.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of bottom
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 spot
Noun
  • And then Alvarez went for the jugular with a grand slam to deep center field.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
  • The president’s instinct to go for the jugular was on display in his first campaign, when he was written off early on as an entertainer but found success with brutal takedowns.
    — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 12 June 2026
Definition of jugular

Browse Nearby Words

underbellies
underbelly
underbodies
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Cite this Entry

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

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