underbellies

noun

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
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

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.
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underbellies
  1. underworlds
  2. undersides
  3. backs
  4. bottoms
  5. soft spots
  6. jugulars
  7. chinks
Noun
  • Robert, the son of a more-like-a-brother cousin of Carney’s, disappears, and Carney sets out to find him, navigating the dual underworlds of Harlem crime and Queens politics.
    — David Hajdu, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of underworlds
Noun
  • Instead, use a Bug Blaster hose end sprayer to blast the upper and undersides of the leaves with water and blow the critters away.
    — Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
  • By early summer, the tents sag like dirty diapers from the undersides of boughs.
    — Ben Crair, New Yorker, 31 July 2026
Definition of undersides
Noun
  • But the curve seems to settle at around 33, where even the most experienced of centre-backs lose appeal due to a drop-off in their physical capabilities and pace.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • There have been some amazing backs at San Diego State, but my main goal is to get wins.
    — Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of backs
Noun
  • Lizzo rocked a purple shimmery string bikini from her Yitty brand, featuring a tiny triangle top and high-waisted bottoms with bows tied on each side of her hips.
    — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The sleek, slip-on style instantly elevates the most basic outfit with that classic mule-meets-loafer design, while the flat bottoms provide all-day comfort.
    — Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of bottoms
Noun
  • Other common causes of soft spots include bruising during transport or storage, or improper storage.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Papayas that are mostly green are not ripe, while those with many soft spots or darker, shriveled skin are overripe or spoiled.
    — Sherri Gordon, Health, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of soft spots
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
Definition of jugulars
Noun
  • The book is, in fact, a sober, evenhanded analysis of a field that, until recently, had few chinks in its armor.
    — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of chinks

Browse Nearby Words

underappreciated
underbellies
underbelly
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Cite this Entry

“Underbellies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underbellies. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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