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

Synonyms of underbelly

• underworld

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

Propulsive and kind of terrifying, this is a brilliant examination of the underbelly of journalism and the people on the fringe of society who are willing to cross any moral boundary to find their brief time in the light. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2026

The duo riffs off this dichotomy with the alarming imagery that accompanies The Precariat, taking listeners on a journey through the underbelly of America. — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 5 Aug. 2026

But the Stones’ undying love of blues shines through in 18 songs that revel in the seamy underbelly of America. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 July 2026

Reporters expose an underbelly of developments that affect lives and livelihoods. — Gypsy Guillén Kaiser, Fortune, 23 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for underbelly

• vermicelli
• allele
• appellee
• ocelli
• belly
• deli
• jelly
• kellie
• melly
• nellie
• nelly
• shelly

Kids 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