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
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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
Salazar-Thompson’s ingenious new version of Hammett’s noir masterpiece features five versatile performers transforming between roles to bring 1920s San Francisco’s underbelly to hilarious life.
—
Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Such a disintegration seems implausible for this iteration of Spurs under Ho, a project that seems to have finally evolved from its mushy underbelly into a clear and steadfast vision.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
At the center of it was Catherine, vividly sending up an entire genre of the show-business underbelly that no one ever referenced on polite middle-American network television.
—Merrill Markoe, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026
From their tables, the patrons got a front row view of the underbelly of Westport.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underbelly
Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Such a disintegration seems implausible for this iteration of Spurs under Ho, a project that seems to have finally evolved from its mushy underbelly into a clear and steadfast vision.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
At the center of it was Catherine, vividly sending up an entire genre of the show-business underbelly that no one ever referenced on polite middle-American network television.
—Merrill Markoe, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026
From their tables, the patrons got a front row view of the underbelly of Westport.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for underbelly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underbelly
Noun
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The Scottish singer-songwriter and activist visited Mexico this week incognito to explore the Mayan underworld, or Xibalbá — a system of caves, rivers, and underground lakes that wind beneath the Yucatan Peninsula.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
13 Mar. 2026
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According to the film’s synopsis, Quavo plays Guy Miller, an ex-con who was once a major player in Atlanta’s underworld and is searching for redemption after a lengthy stint behind bars.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
On many of the planes, the boom operator works lying face down while looking out of a window on the underside of the plane.—
Kim Tong-Hyung,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
These generally appear as white bumps or specks that encrust the stems, branches, and undersides of leaves and suck the sap.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the red rock landscapes around Sedona, one famous rock formation looks just like Snoopy lying on his back on top of his doghouse.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
13 Mar. 2026
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Widely considered the best run-blocking tight end available ahead of free agency, Kolar should help an uneven Chargers running attack that forced coach Jim Harbaugh to often rely too much on quarterback Justin Herbert — even when his running backs were healthy.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And then Venezuela rallied in the top of the ninth and Palencia closed it with a shutout bottom of the ninth.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
18 Mar. 2026
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King agreed that the catcher is going to have the best view, especially because the top and bottom of the zone can fluctuate from, for example, the 5-foot-6 Jose Altuve to the 6-7 Aaron Judge.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The narrators have soft spots for various failings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
-
It is known that Charles, Camilla and William have a soft spot for the two girls.—
Janelle Ash , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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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 19 Mar. 2026.
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