as in underworld
a social sphere that exists outside of the mainstream
the half-world of tattoo addicts who regard the body embellishments not merely as fashion statements but as works of art and fundamental expressions of personal identity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 half-world
On a sultry Monday night a half-world away from where her problems began, the 23-year-old earned a gold medal at world championships in the biggest 100-meter race this side of the Olympics.
—
CBS News, 22 Aug. 2023
Being in that half-world of reality and filming was genuinely terrifying.
—Simon Thompson, Forbes, 6 May 2023
CBS News, 22 Aug. 2023
Being in that half-world of reality and filming was genuinely terrifying.
—Simon Thompson, Forbes, 6 May 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for half-world
underworld
Noun
-
There was a dark underworld to London.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Fame and fortune beckon, but soon their newfound celebrity status attracts attention from the criminal underworld.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Half-world.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/half-world. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
