subterranean
adjective
sub·ter·ra·nean
ˌsəb-tə-ˈrā-nē-ən 
-nyən
variants
or less commonly subterraneous
ˌsəb-tə-ˈrā-nē-əs
-nyəs
1
: being, lying, or operating under the surface of the earth
2
: existing or working in secret : hidden
a subterranean network of criminals
subterraneanly
adverb
or less commonly subterraneously
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Go Underground With Subterranean
A tunnel is a subterranean road or pathway, and a subway is a subterranean railway. The subterranean vaults at Fort Knox hold billions of dollars of gold reserves. Subterranean reservoirs called aquifers are tapped for water; in places where the pressure on the subterranean water is great enough, a hole drilled in the ground will bring it bubbling to the surface.
Examples of subterranean in a Sentence
a subterranean bunker that supposedly could withstand even an atomic blast
Recent Examples on the Web
For any subterranean tourist ready to explore the layers beneath the surface, this is where the adventure begins.
—
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
In addition to precipitation, the Ayuk stream is also fed, in part, by subterranean streams.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
Bunker-buster bombs describe a type of munition that can burrow deep into the ground before exploding and are designed for attacking fortified subterranean targets.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 23 June 2025
Freud revealed the subterranean sources of our desires; advertisers manipulate our taste for breakfast cereals as well as presidents.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for subterranean
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Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
In addition to precipitation, the Ayuk stream is also fed, in part, by subterranean streams.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
Bunker-buster bombs describe a type of munition that can burrow deep into the ground before exploding and are designed for attacking fortified subterranean targets.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 23 June 2025
Freud revealed the subterranean sources of our desires; advertisers manipulate our taste for breakfast cereals as well as presidents.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for subterranean
Cite this Entry
“Subterranean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subterranean. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subterranean
adjective
sub·ter·ra·nean
ˌsəb-tə-ˈrā-nē-ən
-nyən
1
: being, lying, or operating under the surface of the earth
2
: existing or working in secret : hidden
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