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

• demimonde
• demiworld
• half-world
• netherworld
• underbelly

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 Israeli legislators complained that Lansky probably planned to consort with the local underworld, the government changed its mind and rejected his application. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025

This mafia underworld has long been hidden, and Mafia: Most Wanted is about to change that. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025

Hardy plays Walker, a bruised detective fighting his way through the criminal underworld that is threatening to engulf an entire city. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 26 Feb. 2025

Steven Knight’s historical series blends real history and fiction to bring alive London’s underworld, during an era when female thieves and professional boxing helped to usher in the 20th century. —Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025

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