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
The aircraft appeared to be resting on its belly and was largely intact despite the fire. — Staff and Wire Reports, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026 Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways are expanding through dedicated freighters and belly capacity. — semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026 In the clip, the actress wears a black dress and slowly turns around to reveal her pregnant belly. — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026 Social media users are talking about lymphatic walking, which combines slow, intentional steps with diaphragmatic (belly) breathing and sometimes arm movements. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 4 Sep. 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
  • While alcohol has been closely linked to several types of cancer, including mouth, throat, liver and breast cancer, its connections to other types of cancer like stomach and pancreatic cancer are still being investigated, researchers said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Possible issues associated with consuming too much of the spice include allergic reactions that can range from mild irritation to serious symptoms; stomach pain; and potential adverse interactions with medications such as blood thinners.
    — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of stomach
Noun
  • These are a type of polyunsaturated fats that the body can’t make on its own, and include EPA and DHA.
    — Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 10 Sep. 2026
  • After your workout, your snack or meal should provide protein, fats and carbs to shift your body into recovery mode.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of fat
Noun
  • One is a half-hour test called EndoSure, which detects endometriosis by measuring electrical signals in the gut using sensor pads on the abdomen, with results available to the physician afterward.
    — Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • One of the men then stabbed the victim in the abdomen during that conflict, according to police.
    — Joe Brandt, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of abdomen
Noun
  • But the steel has his -- embodies his soul, and the souls of so many.
    — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
  • In the household, spiritual jazz, classic soul and funk, and Afrobeat were omnipresent.
    — Jeff Weiss, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of soul
Verb
  • Anything that protrudes above the shallow, insulating snow cover is more prone to being damaged by the cold and wind or eaten by wildlife, said plant ecologist Anne Bjorkman of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Other animals on-site include a stable full of horses and Cowboy the tortoise, who is about the size of a lawnmower and whose head protrudes from what looks like a Venus flytrap made of bone.
    — Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of protrude
Verb
  • The estate sprawls across 77 acres of pastoral tranquility, with trails snaking through the woods, oak trees towering over lawns, and birdsong filling the air.
    — Brian Cicioni, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2026
  • But the real action was in line for the Breen meet and greet, which snaked across the lobby of the Regal’s mezzanine level after the second screening.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of snake
Noun
  • More than half the population is estimated to need humanitarian assistance because of surging gang violence amid deepening poverty and hunger.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
  • For more than 40 years, Weld Food Bank has been fighting hunger across all of Weld County.
    — Libby Smith, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of hunger
Noun
  • 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
  • There is a funny thread of everyone thinking Woody’s getting a bit old – rocking a paunch and a poncho – while Buzz pines for Jessie.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 16 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 14 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on belly

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about belly

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