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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of underbelly
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
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
See All Example Sentences for underbelly
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for underbelly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underbelly
Noun
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Hardy, of course, plays Harry Da Souza, the reluctant fixer for mob boss couple Conrad and Maeve Harrigan — Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren — in Paramount+’s gritty London underworld drama.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
23 May 2026
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The film is set in the criminal underworld of Mumbai, shot through with the atmosphere of classic noir, and directed by Nachiket Samant.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
During extra time English striker Geoff Hurst unleashed a shot that hit the underside of the crossbar, bounced onto (or just behind, depending on your perspective) the goal line, and was cleared.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
3 June 2026
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Lampard’s non-goal England were 2-1 down to Germany in the last 16 of the 2010 World Cup, Lampard lobbed goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, the ball bounced off the underside of the bar and landed well behind the goal line.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Teams have been less willing to let San Diego play through central zones, less surprised by its buildup structure and more eager to test the space behind its fullbacks and center backs.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
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There were people on all the chairs and sitting on the floor in the aisles and even standing at the back, leaning up against the wall.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
Noun
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The Rockies cut it to 6-1 on back-to-back doubles by Hunter Goodman and Troy Johnston in the fourth, but the Angels countered with Grissom’s two-run homer in the bottom of the inning for an 8-1 lead.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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In the photos, Jenner accessorizes the pink bikini with a matching pink skirt with ruffles on the bottom.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Avoid any with bruises, soft spots or cracks.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
1 June 2026
-
Reeves seems to have a soft spot for earnestly old-fashioned romantic melodramas.—
Jesse Hassenger,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Anyone familiar with a roast expects the comedians to go for the jugular, but when someone with actual grooming allegations gets called a pedophile, one questions whether the punchline really was meant to be a joke.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
13 May 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Underbelly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underbelly. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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