underworld

noun

un·​der·​world ˈən-dər-ˌwərld 

1

: the place of departed souls : hades

2

archaic : earth

3

: the side of the earth opposite to one : antipodes

4

: a social sphere below the level of ordinary life

the town's seedy underworld

especially : the world of organized crime

Synonyms of underworld

• abyss
• netherworld
• depths
• demimonde

Examples of underworld in a Sentence

a magazine article taking an insightful look at the underworld inhabited by street people

Recent Examples on the Web

That international fugitive from justice has turned its seventeen stories into his personal underworld HQ. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 July 2026

The show intertwines the two mythic love stories of Orpheus and Eurydice and Hades and Persephone, as Orpheus must go down to Hades’ underworld to rescue Eurydice after hard times befall the couple. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2026

The film centers on Wang Wei (Miao), a mysterious mute tradesman who is forced into a violent underworld after his daughter is kidnapped by a Southeast Asian child trafficking syndicate. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 July 2026

Mafia romances are especially popular, delving into the gritty underworld of organized crime. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 18 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing underworld

• the underworld

Rhymes for underworld

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

Kids Definition

underworld

noun

un·​der·​world ˈən-dər-ˌwərld 

1

: the place of the souls of the dead

2

: the side of the earth opposite to one

3

: the world of organized crime