1
as in underworld
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
as in underside
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 back
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 underbelly
The same is true on defence, where the third pairing of Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble are putting up incredible underlying numbers in limited minutes against the underbelly of Tampa Bay’s lineup.
—
Arpon Basu, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The Investigation Discovery series purports to expose the underbelly of pop culture's most infamous moments through in-depth interviews and industry analysis.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
But there is a dark underbelly to that freedom, and this is it.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 15 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
See All Example Sentences for underbelly
Arpon Basu, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
The Investigation Discovery series purports to expose the underbelly of pop culture's most infamous moments through in-depth interviews and industry analysis.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
But there is a dark underbelly to that freedom, and this is it.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 15 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
See All Example Sentences for underbelly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underbelly
Noun
-
The thriller is set in London’s shadowy underworld.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
8 May 2026
-
The titular vampire gang has formed a band, and when its members start to shred, the stage sinks down to create a mosh pit—a hellish underworld into which victims later drop.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The plane’s landing tire and underside also hit a delivery truck; the pole then struck a Jeep, injuring the driver, who was hospitalized with minor injuries.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
-
The New Jersey State Police said a landing tire and the underside of the plane also hit a truck, and the light pole then struck a Jeep that was on the highway.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
San Diego is still young, especially in the back, and is learning hard MLS lessons in real time.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Early symptoms include fever, fatigue and aches in the back, hips, shoulders and thighs, the CDC said.—
Hali Smith
May 8,
Idaho Statesman,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
In another video, Hough was seen wearing a bikini featuring a nude triangle top and black bikini bottoms while jumping on a trampoline surrounded be palm trees.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
-
The Cubs loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning, and Busch coaxed a two-out walk to end the game.—
Andy Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
While those days are long over, Pelz isn’t the only person with a soft spot for the organization.—
Graham Womack
May 2,
Sacbee.com,
2 May 2026
-
Just make sure to choose cucumbers that are firm and bright without any soft spots so the finished product tastes its absolute best.—
Andrea Beck,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Wolf packs on the hunt encircled their prey—typically elk—clamping at the jugular when their target grew weary from the chase.—
Nidhi Sharma,
Popular Science,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The change added a room where prisoners are to be examined and prepped for either a standard peripheral IV, or a central line — a more invasive procedure that inserts into the internal jugular in the neck, a femoral vein in the upper thigh or a subclavian vein in the chest.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underbelly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underbelly. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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