netherworld

noun

neth·​er·​world ˈne-t͟hər-ˌwərld 

1

: the world of the dead

2

: underworld sense 4

… the netherworld of deceit … and espionage …

—R. M. Nixon

3

: no-man's-land sense 2

lost in a bureaucratic netherworld

Synonyms of netherworld

• underworld

Examples of netherworld in a Sentence

the shadowy netherworld of all-night raves

Recent Examples on the Web

The rules of this netherworld announce themselves, early on, via a nondescript wall sign. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026

All were jarring openings that guided filmgoers into the strange netherworlds tucked away in otherwise normal big cities and small towns. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025

The same netherworld where Julien enjoyed torturing Cortland during his statue days. — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 26 Jan. 2025

Girand’s journey into this netherworld was sparked by neighborhood chaos and an attempt to understand what was happening. — Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing netherworld

• the netherworld

Rhymes for netherworld

• otherworld
• underworld
• curled
• furled
• hurled
• knurled
• swirled
• twirled
• whirled
• whorled
• world
• lifeworld

Kids Definition

netherworld

noun

neth·​er·​world ˈneth-ər-ˌwərld 

: the world of the dead