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
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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
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When his daughter Rainy is abducted, humble tradesman Wang Wei is thrust into a deadly underworld of corruption and violence.—
William Earl,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
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Soon after, the weapon used is traced back to Sverre Olsen (Arthur Hakalahti), a young arms dealer operating in a downtown warehouse populated by the city’s underworld and, according to the 70 percent assurance of face recognition expert Beate (Ellen Helinder), a familiar presence within the force.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Half-world.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/half-world. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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