below 1 of 3

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

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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

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below

2 of 3

adverb

1
as in underneath
in or to a lower place the skipper climbed below to fix the engine

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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

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below

3 of 3

adjective

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
More than a third of Benin’s population lives below the poverty line and food insecurity remains high in the country. Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 25 May 2026 Tottenham ended the season with 18 goals from corners — the second-highest total in Premier League history, one below Arsenal, who set the record with 19 — two of which secured valuable three points against Wolves and Everton. Elias Burke, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Adverb
Read Shomo’s full message below. William Earl, Variety, 24 May 2026 Read The Hollywood Reporter‘s Q&A with MJF below. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2026
Adjective
The below restaurants reopened after passing re-inspection. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026 Detroit, at most, usually has just one below-average defender on the court at all times. James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for below
Recent Examples of Synonyms for below
Preposition
  • An injured climber pinned beneath a massive 16,000-pound boulder on Oregon's Mount Hood was airlifted to safety Sunday after first responders were able to move the rock.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026
  • The custom piece was designed with a sleeveless silhouette and featured bold red fabric beneath a sheer black overlay.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
Preposition
  • In January, Mateta was public enemy No 1 at Crystal Palace (or on the unpopular side anyway) after trying without success to force through a move to AC Milan.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • Atlanta finished with a 27-24 edge on the boards,after a 46-25 advantage when these teams met 18 days ago.
    Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 28 May 2026
Adverb
  • This caused the alpha-molybdenum trioxide to buckle under the stress, while at the same time softening the silica underneath.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 24 May 2026
  • However, sometimes birds are still able to peck through, pull fruit off, or even slip underneath when the netting rests directly on the branches.
    Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 24 May 2026
Adverb
  • In show jumping, one small error or one fence down, can be the end.
    Danielle Rossingh, New York Times, 27 May 2026
  • But after going two up, two down, the Phillies went out of the ballpark in all three innings.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • Lower gas demand amid increasing supply has led to lower pump prices.
    Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 19 June 2023
Preposition
  • According to the newspaper, the students were heading to Richtpunt campus Buggenhout, a special education school under a mile away from where the railroad crossing is located.
    Adam England, PEOPLE, 26 May 2026
  • Yields spiked to multi-decade highs in recent weeks after a set of disastrous nationwide local election results for the governing Labour Party put Prime Minister Keir Starmer's premiership under pressure.
    Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 26 May 2026
Preposition
  • Newhouse was instinctively private, but behind that, Boccardi said, was a generous man, at home anywhere and curious about everything.
    Scott Mayerowitz, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
  • Lee had fouled off a pair of pitches to begin the at-bat, falling behind 0-2 before his big swing.
    Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 27 May 2026
Adjective
  • The other notable add comes in the bottom six, with a trade for Ike Howard from Edmonton in exchange for Cossa.
    Max Bultman, New York Times, 26 May 2026
  • Located on the bottom floor of the hotel, the food hall will offer general seating and a variety of restaurants with counter-service.
    R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Below.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/below. Accessed 29 May. 2026.

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