underbelly

noun

un·​der·​bel·​ly ˈən-dər-ˌbe-lē How to pronounce underbelly (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ajay Devgn is back as Amay Patnaik in Raid 2, and the sequel digs deeper into the underbelly of India’s political corruption. Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025 Today the silk duvets are still sewn by hand in the underbelly of the hotel. Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 5 May 2025 This 74-episode slow-burn neo-noir mystery series is about a successful young surgeon enmeshed in the underbelly of international crime and politics. Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 2 May 2025 People will be surprised by the underbelly of this world, and how a dangerous player like Smith can manipulate the system, manipulate viewership, manipulate the parents, and manipulate the kids. Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for underbelly

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of underbelly was in 1942

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Cite this Entry

“Underbelly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underbelly. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

underbelly

noun
un·​der·​bel·​ly ˈən-dər-ˌbel-ē How to pronounce underbelly (audio)
: the underpart of a body or mass
the underbelly of a bomber
also : an area open to attack or damage
the army's underbelly
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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