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

And with most of the original cast now long gone, the latest sequel often feels as cursed as that treacherous netherworld. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

The Further, in other words, doesn’t just have to be a foggy, dim netherworld. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026

Alistair Taylor’s reward for accompanying him into this teenage netherworld was to be given lunch at his current favorite city-center restaurant, the Peacock. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2026

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