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
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, 7 May 2025
Before Barneys New York went belly up in 2019, what aspiring designer didn’t dream about getting their clothes inside its hallowed marble corridors?
—Ari Stark, Footwear News, 20 May 2025
In October 2007, Ben Ammar bought indie distributor Eagle Pictures, which had gone belly up.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 6 May 2025
Lara’s also detailed how insurance companies are assessed if the FAIR Plan goes belly up.
—Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 21 Mar. 2025
Hooters filed for bankruptcy this week, the latest casual dining chain to go belly up.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
The playful pooch was filmed sprawled out on the ground with its belly up right outside a store.
has garnered more than 4.2 million views and 250,000 likes to date, sparking laughter and warm reactions in the comments section.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
When a property and casualty insurer does go belly up, there are safety nets for policyholders in the form of state guaranty associations, which are established by state law but privately funded by the insurance industry.
—Ron Lieber, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025
The 7-second clip shows the tiny puppy sprawled out with its belly up, lying limply across its owner's chest and neck, as if drained from a grueling day of activity.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 7 May 2025
Before Barneys New York went belly up in 2019, what aspiring designer didn’t dream about getting their clothes inside its hallowed marble corridors?
—Ari Stark, Footwear News, 20 May 2025
In October 2007, Ben Ammar bought indie distributor Eagle Pictures, which had gone belly up.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 6 May 2025
Lara’s also detailed how insurance companies are assessed if the FAIR Plan goes belly up.
—Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 21 Mar. 2025
Hooters filed for bankruptcy this week, the latest casual dining chain to go belly up.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
The playful pooch was filmed sprawled out on the ground with its belly up right outside a store.
has garnered more than 4.2 million views and 250,000 likes to date, sparking laughter and warm reactions in the comments section.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
When a property and casualty insurer does go belly up, there are safety nets for policyholders in the form of state guaranty associations, which are established by state law but privately funded by the insurance industry.
—Ron Lieber, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025
The 7-second clip shows the tiny puppy sprawled out with its belly up, lying limply across its owner's chest and neck, as if drained from a grueling day of activity.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belly up
Verb
-
Trump has urged agencies to eliminate duplicative roles, unnecessary management layers, and non-critical jobs while automating routine tasks, closing regional offices and reducing the use of outside contractors.—
Daniel Wiessner,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
-
Growth Despite Everything: Working To Fill The Gaps The general figures speak for themselves: During the first year and a half of the full-scale war, practically no Ukrainian startups closed, while over 80 new projects were launched.—
Olena Orliuk,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
As the wide-ranging conversation was approaching its end, Wood seized the opportunity to offer a long-overdue apology to Handler.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
25 May 2025
-
When he was pulled over, Wali slammed on the brakes, something the officer who initially approached Wali’s vehicle noted.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
Sperling also draws on his five-plus years as a graphic designer.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
Slingerland draws on a wealth of experience while working with architects and builders to help her clients devise their dream homes from the ground up.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
20 May 2025
Verb
-
That tune is nearing 200 weeks on both of those tallies.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
But as the trade deadline nears, the Red Sox's likely interest in Lowe could progress into an actual trade to bring him in for first base.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
While liner rates tend to be quite volatile for most hitters, Soto has consistently come up short in that area, only exceeding a 20% seasonal rate once in his career, and posting marks over a full standard deviation below league average three times in six years between 2018-23.—
Tony Blengino,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
-
For the second straight game, the Sox came up short in a rally against Orioles closer Félix Bautista.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Belly up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belly%20up. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share