underbelly
noun
un·der·bel·ly
ˈən-dər-ˌbe-lē 
1
: a vulnerable area
also
: a corrupt or sordid part
probing the underbelly of the entertainment industry
2
: the underside of a body or mass
Examples of underbelly in a Sentence
They exposed the underbelly of the nation's economic policy.
the sordid underbelly of city life
Recent Examples on the Web
His unabashed depiction of America’s underbelly is super popular in Europe.
—
Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 25 Feb. 2026
Two years ago, Samuel Stockton sat in the underbelly of Ball Arena and cried after a state championship slipped through his fingertips.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 22 Feb. 2026
The original film tells a captivating and fragmented story of Mexico City’s underbelly, exploring the harsh realities of the underworld through three interlocking narratives of hope, betrayal, and revenge.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
Salazar-Thompson’s ingenious new version of Hammett’s noir masterpiece features five versatile performers transforming between roles to bring 1920s San Francisco’s underbelly to hilarious life.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underbelly
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Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 25 Feb. 2026
Two years ago, Samuel Stockton sat in the underbelly of Ball Arena and cried after a state championship slipped through his fingertips.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 22 Feb. 2026
The original film tells a captivating and fragmented story of Mexico City’s underbelly, exploring the harsh realities of the underworld through three interlocking narratives of hope, betrayal, and revenge.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
Salazar-Thompson’s ingenious new version of Hammett’s noir masterpiece features five versatile performers transforming between roles to bring 1920s San Francisco’s underbelly to hilarious life.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underbelly
Cite this Entry
“Underbelly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underbelly. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underbelly
noun
un·der·bel·ly
ˈən-dər-ˌbel-ē
: the underpart of a body or mass
the underbelly of a bomber
also
: an area open to attack or damage
the army's underbelly
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