below 1 of 3

preposition

Definition of belownext
1
as in beneath
in a lower position than for the photo she sat below everyone else, on the floor actually

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in after
subsequent to in time or order that ranks a little below a root canal on my list of things I'd want to experience

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

below

2 of 3

adverb

bi-ˈlō How to pronounce below (audio)
1
as in underneath
in or to a lower place the skipper climbed below to fix the engine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in down
toward or in a lower position when rock climbing I just know that if I look below, I'll become paralyzed with fear

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

below

3 of 3

adjective

as in lower

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 below
Preposition
Robert Gasser, an average to below average starter, had allowed just one run in 15 innings, despite getting few swings and misses or strikeouts. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026 The New York Fed’s second-quarter 2026 report puts total household debt in Florida at roughly $62,800 per resident, below the national figure. — Malana Vantyler, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026
Adverb
Under the grill, two cold-hold units do not hold temperature of the food items at 41 degrees or below. — Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026 Readers can find a full look at the new style in the gallery below. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Please fill out the below form for possible inclusion in a CNN story. — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 Regarding Kusama’s performance, both Tsui and Albu deemed the final result solid despite the below-estimate hammer. — Hok-Hang Cheung, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for below
Recent Examples of Synonyms for below
  1. beneath
  2. after
  3. underneath
  4. down
  5. lower
  6. under
  7. behind
  8. bottom
Preposition
  • An arch of roses painted by Messel himself, long hidden beneath layers of paint, has now been carefully revealed and restored as a quiet gesture to the artist, and the spirit, behind the room.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Again, the MacBook Neo is an exception to this, offering Touch ID as an upgrade and using a hinge mechanism beneath the trackpad.
    — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of beneath
Preposition
  • Beehive developed the prototype in just four months after finalizing its requirements with the US Air Force.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Defensive tackle Aaron Donald, 35, played 10 seasons before retiring after the 2023 season.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of after
Adverb
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the borders are puffed and deeply golden and the pastry is browned underneath.
    — Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Adam has a vulnerability and warmth that immediately drew me to him, but there’s also something unpredictable underneath – a quiet strength that feels completely right for Hákon.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of underneath
Adverb
  • With 13 seconds left and third down at the Braves’ 12, Guess threw the ball up toward the end zone and Brown, his best friend since the age of 6, caught it for a touchdown.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Not the interception by rookie safety Zakee Wheatley in the red zone — Wheatley’s pick could’ve been a turning point, a chance for the Panthers, down 14 with an entire fourth quarter ahead of them, to make something happen.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of down
Adjective
  • Despite those lower court rulings, the practice has continued nationally, said Gregory Chen, the senior director of government relations for the Immigration Lawyers Association.
    — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 3 Sep. 2025
  • And ultimately, the Supreme Court overruled those lower court rulings and did declare the embryos as children qualifying under the wrongful death statute.
    — Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024
Definition of lower
Preposition
  • Six of the injured are under 18 years old and the youngest is 11 years old, Chief Lawrence Revell of the Tallahassee Police Department said at a press conference early Sunday morning.
    — Samantha Cookinham, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026
  • What the test does and does not show The 1,194-km (742-mile) run offers a useful indication of the Mona L05 EREV’s long-distance capability under a specific set of conditions.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of under
Preposition
  • And after a few key results on Saturday, there’s some clarity behind Miami in the conference standings with five weeks left in the regular season.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Unlike other modern culinary festivals, there was no peeking behind the curtain, because, in fact, there is no curtain.
    — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of behind
Adjective
  • After the Thursday night game, the Panthers rank in the bottom half of the league in every major defensive category, according to Team Rankings.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, spending by the bottom 80% of earners has fallen behind inflation.
    — Erin Kay Lockwood, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of bottom

Phrases Containing below

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beloveds
below
belowground
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Cite this Entry

“Below.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/below. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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