1
as in underworlds
a social sphere that exists outside of the mainstream
unable to get work in mainstream films, the actor ended up in Hollywood's underbelly—the porn industry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in undersides
the side or part facing downward from something
the underbelly of the old submarine is in bad shape
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in backs
a vulnerable point
the vast, thinly guarded southern border was obviously the underbelly of the nation's line of defense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underbellies
The most caustic people in the world often have the softest underbellies — at least if Alden Ehrenreich is playing them.
—
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
Cashmere is expensive because these goats produce a limited amount of this precious fiber, found on their underbellies, and the process of obtaining the wool is labor-intensive.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
Humpbacks congregate here, creating pufflike splashes on the horizon and flashing their fins and underbellies at all distances.
—Darrell Hartman, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Aug. 2021
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
Cashmere is expensive because these goats produce a limited amount of this precious fiber, found on their underbellies, and the process of obtaining the wool is labor-intensive.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
Humpbacks congregate here, creating pufflike splashes on the horizon and flashing their fins and underbellies at all distances.
—Darrell Hartman, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Aug. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underbellies
Noun
-
When the gang comes to the attention of Major Chester Campbell, a DCI in the Royal Irish Constabulary, the wheels are set in motion for adventures through the dangerous underworlds of early 20th-century Britain.—
Connor Sturges,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Mar. 2026
-
For Aronofsky, the city’s ethnic blend has no special claim on virtue; there seem to be as many criminal underworlds as there are demographic groups.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Check the undersides of leaves for insects.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
-
Symptoms include angular red, purple, or brown lesions on the upper surfaces of leaves, often between veins, with whitish fungal growth on the undersides.—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Some can be seen with their hands tied behind their backs, kneeling with their heads touching the floor.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
-
For starters, Chelsea has top-level wing backs which are difficult to find at the top of the game.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
The breathable, relaxed-fitting bottoms are substantial enough to wear on the plane and work just as well over a bathing suit on the beach or with a pair of sneakers for a day of sightseeing.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
7 June 2026
-
Fashion girls make a strong case for contrasting the athletic bottoms with feminine tops and shoes, and the same approach works here.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Glamour,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
From there, observe any dents, soft spots or cracks.—
Alexandra Frost,
USA Today,
25 May 2026
-
Their bond — both are outsiders who suffered abuse as children — is one of the few emotional soft spots in the otherwise fast-moving series about America’s rotten power structure, manipulative media and the gullibility of the public.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Once Woll’s bratty vamp was through draining jugulars, the actress found a second signature role as Karen Page on Marvel’s Daredevil (2015–2018).—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The result is a fiery and impassioned offering that finds the veteran fully engaged and intent on proving no chinks have been left in his armor despite his tenuous back-and-forth with his Compton counterpart.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
15 May 2026
-
Does the bazaar allow for chinks in the kind of class barriers that would usually exist?—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
23 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underbellies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underbellies. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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