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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underbellies
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
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
-
Look for larvae on the undersides of leaves.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 2026
-
To achieve their audacious goals, the fish use hook-like growths on the undersides of both their pectoral and pelvic fins to push themselves upward.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
With their backs against the wall, the Knicks showed the Hawks there are levels to playoff basketball.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
He is built like a running back and bodies defensive backs after the catch.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The 52-year-old wore a black triangle bikini top with high-cut bottoms and wrapped a towel around herself.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Plus, the flare bottoms add balance to outfits with heavier tops like structured blazers or billowy blouses.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Signs such as cracks in the foundation or holes from soft spots in the walls, ceilings, or floors are all signs that moisture has been sitting in your home for a while and turned into mold.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Choose strawberries that are brightly colored, without mold or soft spots.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
23 Mar. 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
Cite this Entry
“Underbellies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underbellies. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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