belly 1 of 2

noun

ˈbe-lē How to pronounce belly (audio)
Definition of bellynext
1
as in stomach
a need or desire for food as dinnertime approached he could think only of his belly

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in corporation
an enlarged or bulging abdomen worked hard to get rid of his belly in time to attend his class reunion

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3
as in abdomen
the part of the body between the chest and the pelvis a baby with a round little belly

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4
as in soul
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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belly

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point the sails slowly bellied as the wind picked up

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to snake
to move slowly with the body close to the ground recruits were forced to belly over the obstacle course under simulated enemy fire

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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 belly
Noun
There are anchovies and peppers tucked between the sardines and toast; juicy dates and barely-there onions wrapped inside two types of tuna, dark maroon meat with slices of pink belly on top. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026 Ayomukhi is described as an enormous, fearsome figure with a large belly, sharp teeth, and disheveled hair. — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026 Patients need their daily medications and their hearts, lungs and bellies must be listened to. — Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026 Research shows that belly breathing increases parasympathetic regulation of the heart through vagal pathways, helping the body settle into a calmer state. — Juli Fraga, Time, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for belly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belly
  1. stomach
  2. fat
  3. abdomen
  4. soul
  5. protrude
  6. snake
  7. hunger
  8. paunch
Noun
  • His family said Boling was shot twice, in the chest and stomach, as the confrontation escalated.
    — Doug Myers, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Symptoms can be severe stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea, which may be bloody, the health department said.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of stomach
Noun
  • If Tuesday’s election results trigger an investment slowdown, that could trim some of the industry’s fat.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026
  • In the pot with the bacon fat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of fat
Noun
  • The approach is seen as less risky than screening a fetus for conditions like Down syndrome by guiding a thin, hollow needle through the mother's abdomen, known as amniocentesis.
    — Gerry Smith, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The stab wounds to Snider’s neck hit her larynx, jugular vein and carotid artery, and some were deep enough to reach her spine, Arunkumar said, while the injuries to her abdomen reached her heart, aorta and liver.
    — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of abdomen
Noun
  • The story is forgotten, and the glimpse into the writer’s soul is lost.
    — Gary Barron, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The Rosses eventually undertook a major redesign in 2002, with a goal of amplifying the scale for their family, which included twins just under 2 years old, without diluting the home’s authentic soul.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of soul
Verb
  • Wire-thin cables protruding from the implant exit Pancho’s skull through the coin-sized opening.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Once fished to the brink of extinction globally, sand tiger sharks, that iconic aquarium shark with a jaw of protruding, jagged teeth that only a mother could love, have been increasing in the Boston Harbor over the last decade.
    — Asia London Palomba, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of protrude
Verb
  • London installed granite rumble strips in Hyde Park, raised crosswalks across bike lanes at bus stops, and ran snaking paths through Van Gogh Walk in Brixton.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Democrat Kevin Chambliss, 45, defended his seat against Republican Miguel Granda to win another two years representing House District 117, a South Dade district that snakes around the Florida Turnpike.
    — Miami Herald staff, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of snake
Noun
  • But a burning rage and hunger for vengeance awakens in the flames.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The pause offered brief relief in a city facing hunger, disease and another harsh winter after years of war and damaged infrastructure.
    — Darlene Superville, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of hunger
Noun
  • Tall and thin, but with a distinct paunch visible beneath his track suit, the man did not look like a captain of industry.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The hair may be grayer, the paunches a little more pronounced, and the joints a little creakier, but the Jackass promise of delivering the missing link between the Three Stooges and a snuff film remains.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2026
Definition of paunch

Phrases Containing belly

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bellwethers
belly
bellyache
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Cite this Entry

“Belly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belly. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on belly

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about belly

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