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

Mafia romances are especially popular, delving into the gritty underworld of organized crime. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 18 July 2026

Robert, the son of a more-like-a-brother cousin of Carney’s, disappears, and Carney sets out to find him, navigating the dual underworlds of Harlem crime and Queens politics. — David Hajdu, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026

Times staff writer Matthew Ormseth received the award for crime reporting (print/online) for his coverage looking into the dark corners of California’s underworld. — Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Moreover, a host of unsavory characters from Britain’s criminal underworld want a piece of the operation. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 9 July 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