bellies 1 of 2

Definition of belliesnext
plural of belly
1
as in stomachs
an enlarged or bulging abdomen worked hard to get rid of his belly in time to attend his class reunion

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2
as in abdomens
the part of the body between the chest and the pelvis a baby with a round little belly

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3
as in hearts
the seat of one's deepest thoughts and emotions in my belly I knew that he wasn't telling the truth, as the details of his story just didn't add up

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bellies

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of belly

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of bellies
Noun
The best laughs — loud, distinctive, recognizable — come from soft bellies. Erin Entrada Kelly, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026 These sweet, tangy, and saucy little bites have long held a special place in our hearts—and bellies. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 3 May 2026 Stretch and support for blooming bellies were key. Lisa Gutierrez may 1, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026 With restaurants, retail shops and crafts markets throughout, there’s plenty to keep kids entertained and bellies full. Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026 If hung in the Louvre, there would be a fist on their bellies performing the Heimlich. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026 Asian swamp eels in Florida are largely of an olive or drab brown color with yellow-orange bellies, though some can be brightly colored with variations of orange, pink and calico patterns. Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 All of the sustainability efforts collectively yield fewer emissions and less waste, while having more full bellies. Megan Shinn, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026 The teacher cued us onto our bellies for a backbend sequence. Allegra Givens, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bellies
Noun
  • That is a consideration for some test subjects, as the virtual reality environment can throw off sensitive stomachs.
    Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Those with strong sea legs (and stomachs) ride on the upper tier of the ferry, while the smoother seats are indoors and toward the back of the boat.
    Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Starting in 2013 more than a hundred thousand women received calls about the urgent need to have surgically implanted pelvic mesh removed from their lower abdomens.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The stingers they are equipped with can be up to about a quarter-inch (6 mm) in length and inject a painful venom – which is stored in large quantities in their abdomens – into their victims.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • With its sarong, curve-enhancing silhouette, and scooped neckline, the little red dress is enough to stop hearts, take breath away, and provide CPR all at once.
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 11 May 2026
  • This one, from the chef Perfecte Rocher (now cooking in San Diego), makes the most of spring delights, including fava beans and artichoke hearts.
    Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • These are more likely to cause painless rectal bleeding or tissue that protrudes during a bowel movement.
    Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Part of it protrudes from the exterior, with natural airflow helping keep the food inside chilled.
    Adam Williams March 29, New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Another car snakes down the road.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Londoners won’t queue for just anything, but the coffee and pastries at Jolene are well worth joining the line that often snakes around the corner.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • By taking this gradual approach, there is less organizational resistance and new innovation does not shock corporations – helping align internal resources without excess train.
    Anis Uzzaman, Fortune, 6 May 2026
  • Large corporations are more profit-focused and risk-averse.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • The history wonks upstairs tell us that ancient Egyptians considered butterflies to be symbols of eternity, souls and divine transformation.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
  • For audiences, the echo chamber that develops in the villas can seem debilitating to a possible reconciliation, but Walberg says that there are invariably a few authentic souls whose support is sincere rather than a tactic to get them into mischief.
    Todd Gilchrist, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a brain aneurysm is a weakened area in an artery that bulges outward and fills with blood.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bellies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bellies. Accessed 13 May. 2026.

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