as in to close
to come near or nearer
belly up to the buffet table and help yourselves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 belly up
Dominick’s, a nearly century-old company that once had some 70-plus outlets across Chicagoland, went belly up at the end of 2013 as competition from independents and chains took its toll.
—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2026
The new place has a bar to belly up to, a beat-up car for families and kids to play in and pose for the 'Gram and TikTok, and colorful neon signs.
—
Charlie D'agata,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
But when the primary local industry went belly up, so did the town.
—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2026
The store went belly up in a few short years as the Great Depression hit.
—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Mar. 2026
It has been said that the first round of internet companies went belly up and that the second round of companies became household names and survived.
—
Mike Patton,
Forbes.com,
4 Mar. 2026
The private patio space off of the living room bellies up to the beach, where two sunbeds and an umbrella are set up for sunset happy hours.
—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
24 Feb. 2026
Once called ''the funniest woman on TV,'' Catherine O'Hara spends much of her time these days bellying up against a snooker table at the Squeeze Club, a Toronto juice bar and pool hall.
—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Across the river, Le Crocodile at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn brings a stylish, approachable scene for bellying up and indulging in sexy French cuisine.
—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2026
The new place has a bar to belly up to, a beat-up car for families and kids to play in and pose for the 'Gram and TikTok, and colorful neon signs.
—
Charlie D'agata,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
But when the primary local industry went belly up, so did the town.
—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2026
The store went belly up in a few short years as the Great Depression hit.
—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Mar. 2026
It has been said that the first round of internet companies went belly up and that the second round of companies became household names and survived.
—
Mike Patton,
Forbes.com,
4 Mar. 2026
The private patio space off of the living room bellies up to the beach, where two sunbeds and an umbrella are set up for sunset happy hours.
—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
24 Feb. 2026
Once called ''the funniest woman on TV,'' Catherine O'Hara spends much of her time these days bellying up against a snooker table at the Squeeze Club, a Toronto juice bar and pool hall.
—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Across the river, Le Crocodile at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn brings a stylish, approachable scene for bellying up and indulging in sexy French cuisine.
—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belly up
Verb
-
No students or staff were in the building when the remains were uncovered, as school ended for the summer on Friday and the school was closed for construction, police said.
-
Seeking to close a $12 billion budget shortfall last year, the governor hoped to cut over $750 million from the state’s payroll expenses in salaries and wages.
Verb
-
With group play coming to a close and the Round of 32 approaching, the competition is heating up as teams look to punch their tickets to the knockout round in hopes of hoisting the FIFA World Cup Trophy at the final on Sunday, July 19.
-
Tracy had approached the team about a contract extension late in the 2005 season, a bold request considering the team’s record.
Verb
-
Elwood and Birdwell are teaming up on a capsule collection rooted in the look and feel of Southern California summers, drawing on decades of surf history to shape the line.
-
Latent nutrients in the ground As shortages and price hikes force farmers to use less fertilizer, crops may be able to draw on legacy nutrient reserves already in the ground.
Verb
-
This pack comes with four waterproof, spacious dustbags big enough for bulky sneakers and heels alike, which flight attendants say still hold up after consistent use.
-
Gakpo's teammates came onto the filed to support him and formed a circle around him, putting their arms around each other as the crowd cheered, as shown in another video shared by Fox Sports.
Verb
-
Messi, 38, is thought to be nearing the end of his legendary career, but scoring a hat trick in the world’s biggest tournament just shows that there is a lot more juice left in his tank.
-
The Cubs plan to announce details about the 10-year celebration of the 2016 team as the July 18 weekend nears.
Verb
-
Those who came up on romantic comedies of the '80s and '90s should dip into this early – and rather nifty – example of the genre.
-
Throughout the game, seeing green shirts on the large screen triggered cheers through the crowd, while boos came up when yellow kits were displayed.
Cite this Entry
“Belly up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belly%20up. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
