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 the gang comes to the attention of Major Chester Campbell, a DCI in the Royal Irish Constabulary, the wheels are set in motion for adventures through the dangerous underworlds of early 20th-century Britain. —Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026

Superfakes is about a small-time Chinatown luxury counterfeit dealer who enters a dangerous black-market underworld in order to fund a life of suburban respectability for her family. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026

The Scottish singer-songwriter and activist visited Mexico this week incognito to explore the Mayan underworld, or Xibalbá — a system of caves, rivers, and underground lakes that wind beneath the Yucatan Peninsula. —Natalia Cano, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2026

According to the film’s synopsis, Quavo plays Guy Miller, an ex-con who was once a major player in Atlanta’s underworld and is searching for redemption after a lengthy stint behind bars. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 12 Mar. 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