as in underground
being, situated, or operating beneath the surface of the earth
a subterranean bunker that supposedly could withstand even an atomic blast
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Recent Examples of subterranean
In a subterranean ceremony shortly after midnight Wednesday, Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City’s 112th mayor, becoming the first Muslim and, at 34, the youngest man in modern memory to lead the five boroughs.
—
Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 1 Jan. 2026
The subterranean site, which closed 80 years ago, is noted for its architectural grandeur with chandeliers, glass skylights and tiled vaulted tunnels.
—Emma Bowman, NPR, 31 Dec. 2025
The Spa The subterranean spa with seven treatment rooms and a 43-foot swimming pool, the largest in a Viennese hotel, completes the property’s mission of supplying quiet, rest, and relaxation to guests.
—Lindsey Tramuta, Travel + Leisure, 19 Dec. 2025
Moderates just hours later brought their anger directly to the Speaker during a tense lunch meeting in a subterranean chamber of the Capitol.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subterranean
Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 1 Jan. 2026
The subterranean site, which closed 80 years ago, is noted for its architectural grandeur with chandeliers, glass skylights and tiled vaulted tunnels.
—Emma Bowman, NPR, 31 Dec. 2025
The Spa The subterranean spa with seven treatment rooms and a 43-foot swimming pool, the largest in a Viennese hotel, completes the property’s mission of supplying quiet, rest, and relaxation to guests.
—Lindsey Tramuta, Travel + Leisure, 19 Dec. 2025
Moderates just hours later brought their anger directly to the Speaker during a tense lunch meeting in a subterranean chamber of the Capitol.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subterranean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subterranean
underground
Adjective
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The request for additional money was made after underground utility and other site placement needs were identified while designing a new floor plan.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
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As Season 2 gets underway, commuters on an underground train are taken hostage, and authorities scramble to save hundreds of lives.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subterranean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subterranean. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
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