underbellies

Definition of underbelliesnext
plural of underbelly
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

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2
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for underbellies
Noun
  • 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
  • Examine your satin pothos for signs of pests, paying close attention to the undersides of the leaves and any crevices between the stems and petioles.
    Cori Sears, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026
  • To inspect for pests, look on the undersides of leaves, on leaf joints, and in areas of new growth.
    Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The club has a litany of center backs, with Glesnes joining Maya Yoshida, Emiro Garces and Chris Rindov.
    Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Yet even as the coach was roundly criticized for his handling of the situation, UCLA’s players were insistent that Cronin still had their backs.
    Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The sleek-looking, wide-leg bottoms are easy to throw on and go, and they are made from a buttery-soft knit that will keep me as comfortable as possible during all my travels.
    Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2026
  • Sofia Vergara wore nothing but a pair of ultra-cheeky black bikini bottoms while sunbathing in Miami on Friday morning.
    Lara Walsh, InStyle, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Look for citrus fruits that feel firm and smooth, with no soft spots or bruises.
    Zia Sherrell, Health, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Look for firm mushrooms that are free of soft spots or mold.
    Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 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
  • Does the bazaar allow for chinks in the kind of class barriers that would usually exist?
    Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
  • But after the break, the Americans started to find some chinks in the English armour.
    Peter Carline, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Underbellies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underbellies. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.

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