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

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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
  • Wipe the undersides of the leaves the same way, carefully supporting the leaves from the top.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
  • In its present form, the technology utilizes two spectrometers to perform near-infrared and mid-infrared scans of the top surfaces and undersides of leaves immediately adjacent to the fruits.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • The Hurricanes also signed six freshman defensive backs this cycle in JJ Dunnigan, Camdin Portis, Jaelen Waters, Cortez Redding, Brody Jennings and Jontavius Wyman.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Backup running backs, including Jay Harris and Dierre Hill Jr, provided too little help for quarterback Dante Moore.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Featuring a high-rise waistband and leg-elongating straight-leg fit, the bottoms are oh-so-flattering.
    Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Bake at 350°F for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the cookies are set and the bottoms are just beginning to brown.
    Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Greene has shown a knack for finding soft spots in the offensive zone and setting himself up for Grade-A scoring chances.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Their stem should be intact, and the skin should be free of blemishes, soft spots, cracks, or other visible damage.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 4 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 19 Jan. 2026.

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