1
as in stomach
a need or desire for food
as dinnertime approached he could think only of his belly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
the sails slowly bellied as the wind picked up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Idaho Statesman, 4 Sep. 2025
Step one is to reduce body fat, especially belly fat.
—Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
In her second slide, the soon-to-be mom showed a short clip of an ultrasound showing her baby girl moving in her belly.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Sporting an unmistakable dark mane and unique folds of skin along their bellies, Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than their African cousins.
—Aishwarya S. Iyer, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belly
Noun
State police will typically drive immigrants, who are restrained in belly chains, to what are essentially ICE bus stops at various places throughout the state.
—Idaho Statesman, 4 Sep. 2025
Step one is to reduce body fat, especially belly fat.
—Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
In her second slide, the soon-to-be mom showed a short clip of an ultrasound showing her baby girl moving in her belly.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Sporting an unmistakable dark mane and unique folds of skin along their bellies, Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than their African cousins.
—Aishwarya S. Iyer, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belly
Noun
-
As part of the necropsy, the bear’s stomach contents will be examined.—
Kris Millgate,
Outdoor Life,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Lemons are acidic, but adding a little lemon juice to warm water and honey can neutralize stomach acids.—
Ann Pietrangelo,
Verywell Health,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The victim reported being hit in the abdomen by gunfire and was taken to an area hospital for treatment, Barclay said.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The victim, who was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition, was standing outside of a residence when a gunman approached him and opened fire, striking him multiple times in the abdomen, according to police.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Jackson carved them up in the passing game, then sapped their souls with his scrambles.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
That much is clear from the moment Freyne and Pat Cunnane’s high-concept script (a real Black List special) first drops us into the Hyatt-like Junction where souls process what’s happened and have seven days to pick their final destinations from a variety of convention floor displays.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Sharks are often imagined cruising just beneath the waves, dorsal fin protruding from the dark, ocean waters to alert people of their incoming doom.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Hammer four nails about an inch apart into a cross shape at the center of your board so that the heads protrude at least an inch.—
Peter Barrett,
Outside,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Originating in the Tibetan Plateau, the Nujiang River snakes its way through southern China andeventually flows into Myanmar.—
Lauren Liebhaber
September 2,
Miami Herald,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Lines snaked around every outside court, contrasting sharply with the ones only in use for practice, sparsely and quietly populated with players honing their skills for the bigger stages.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Already, leading experts on hunger have declared a famine in Gaza City due to Israeli restrictions on aid.—
Aya Batrawy,
NPR,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Separately, Biden thrice designated Haiti for Temporary Protected Status in the aftermath of the murder of President Jovenel Moise, a devastating earthquake, mass internal displacement, widespread gang violence, chronic hunger and extreme impoverishment.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Saturated and Trans Fats Eating too much saturated fat and trans fat may be linked to prostate cancer.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Soldiers on the academic improvement track have performed slightly better than soldiers in the body fat reduction track.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
As the sun was setting, hundreds of North Texans — many clad in black — gathered with candles and posters in their hands and solidarity in their hearts.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Sep. 2025
-
But roughly 20-30% of people who are infected develop severe symptoms, including a range of heart issues—such as heart failure, irregular heartbeat, or even death—and digestive issues—such as an enlarged esophagus or colon, which could cause problems with eating or going to the bathroom.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Belly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belly. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share