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

When a routine theft goes wrong and Viktor is badly injured, Malina strikes a desperate deal with a corrupt doctor, forcing them into a dangerous journey through Macedonia’s underworld. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026

Dementia related to untreated syphilis left him incapable of resuming his position atop the country’s criminal underworld. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Oct. 2026

Rankin’s study of the Japanese underworld really begins in the early seventeenth century. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

The film follows two brothers who become entangled in a dangerous criminal underworld. — Marc Malkin, Variety, 7 Oct. 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