as in to close
to come near or nearer
belly up to the buffet table and help yourselves
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 up
Or belly up to the Mimslyn Inn’s Speakeasy Bar and Restaurant for drinks with a Prohibition Era flair.
—
Erica Silverstein, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2026
The private patio space off of the living room bellies up to the beach, where two sunbeds and an umbrella are set up for sunset happy hours.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 24 Feb. 2026
Once called ''the funniest woman on TV,'' Catherine O'Hara spends much of her time these days bellying up against a snooker table at the Squeeze Club, a Toronto juice bar and pool hall.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Across the river, Le Crocodile at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn brings a stylish, approachable scene for bellying up and indulging in sexy French cuisine.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
For the best seat in the house, request the chef's table that bellies up to the kitchen.
—Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 16 Jan. 2026
Wilding eventually rebranded a taproom in the River North Art District with the Great Divide name, so Denverites can still belly up without traveling to the suburbs.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 31 Dec. 2025
Wu compared the current state of the industry to the internet era before the dot-com bubble, when a host of firms went belly up but the technology reoriented the economy and established corporate giants.
—ABC News, 22 Nov. 2025
Knott’s Scary Farm visitors who belly up to the bar at the Calico Saloon can shout requests to a ghost pianist who plays everything from Ragtime masterpieces to summery pop hits by Katy Perry during the annual Halloween seasonal event.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
Erica Silverstein, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2026
The private patio space off of the living room bellies up to the beach, where two sunbeds and an umbrella are set up for sunset happy hours.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 24 Feb. 2026
Once called ''the funniest woman on TV,'' Catherine O'Hara spends much of her time these days bellying up against a snooker table at the Squeeze Club, a Toronto juice bar and pool hall.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Across the river, Le Crocodile at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn brings a stylish, approachable scene for bellying up and indulging in sexy French cuisine.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
For the best seat in the house, request the chef's table that bellies up to the kitchen.
—Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 16 Jan. 2026
Wilding eventually rebranded a taproom in the River North Art District with the Great Divide name, so Denverites can still belly up without traveling to the suburbs.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 31 Dec. 2025
Wu compared the current state of the industry to the internet era before the dot-com bubble, when a host of firms went belly up but the technology reoriented the economy and established corporate giants.
—ABC News, 22 Nov. 2025
Knott’s Scary Farm visitors who belly up to the bar at the Calico Saloon can shout requests to a ghost pianist who plays everything from Ragtime masterpieces to summery pop hits by Katy Perry during the annual Halloween seasonal event.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belly up
Verb
-
The Nets closed their 2025-26 home schedule Thursday night at Barclays Center with a 123-94 loss to the Indiana Pacers, a game that looked and felt like two teams protecting lottery position.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
At home, avenues for campaigning were methodically closed for Orbán’s opponents.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Do not approach water, wet objects, or metal items.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Citing these extenuating circumstances, Ford approached the administration late last year to request temporary tariff relief.—
Byron Hurd,
The Drive,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The picture draws on elements of the Western and period epic alongside the martial arts traditions that have defined Yuen’s career.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The survey focused on how people think about water conservation and climate change, drawing on a large body of research that shows people who care about the environment often take eco-friendly actions.—
Dave White,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Global spending on data centers could reach $7 trillion by 2030, according to McKinsey, and much of that spending can no longer come solely from hyperscalers.—
April Roach,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The victory appeared to come with a price as Mike Trout departed in the eighth inning after he was hit in the back of the left hand by a Casey Legumina pitch.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said oil costs were nearing double the budget the government had allocated and further measures to reduce spending would be announced this week.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
As the flight neared its destination, pilots alerted air traffic control about the unexpected medical situation.—
Lorraine Taylor,
FOXNews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
During the downtime, crew members came up with the famous shot, filmed after Travolta returned, of his feet walking rhythmically as the camera then rises to his face.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The possibility of pivoting to new recreation centers came up during the commission’s initial discussion.—
Mary Ramsey
April 6,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Belly up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belly%20up. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
