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

• demimonde
• demiworld
• half-world
• netherworld
• underbelly

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

Unpacking the inner workings of Gotham, from the mayor’s office to Oz’s underworld, the show reveals the villainy that manifests and thrives at all levels. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 12 Sep. 2024

With a Death Mark on her head, Kay has to fend for herself and navigate the Star Wars criminal underworld, and that leads her to another heist that can solve all her problems. —Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2024

On July 24, 2024, sources told In Touch Weekly that authorities quietly launched a criminal probe that’s put Hollywood’s drug-dealing underworld on high alert. —Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 25 July 2024

While plot details are vague, the spec is described as a buddy action comedy set in the criminal underworld. —Justin Kroll, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing underworld

• the underworld

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