underbelly

noun

un·​der·​bel·​ly ˈən-dər-ˌbe-lē How to pronounce underbelly (audio)
1
: a vulnerable area
also : a corrupt or sordid part
probing the underbelly of the entertainment industry
2
: the underside of a body or mass

Examples of underbelly in a Sentence

They exposed the underbelly of the nation's economic policy. the sordid underbelly of city life
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Complex machinations in the underbelly of the Colosseum even allowed it to be filled with water to enact sea battles. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024 Propulsive and kind of terrifying, this is a brilliant examination of the underbelly of journalism and the people on the fringe of society who are willing to cross any moral boundary to find their brief time in the light. Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 June 2024 There is space in behind for opposition attackers to exploit and this has given Spurs a soft underbelly. Graham Ruthven, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024 Dirty Hands kicks-off in the underbelly of Chicago when a routine drug deal goes bad for the Denton brothers, Richie (Muldoon) and Danny (Kevin Interdonato). Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for underbelly 

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of underbelly was in 1942

Dictionary Entries Near underbelly

Cite this Entry

“Underbelly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underbelly. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

underbelly

noun
un·​der·​bel·​ly ˈən-dər-ˌbel-ē How to pronounce underbelly (audio)
: the underpart of a body or mass
the underbelly of a bomber
also : an area open to attack or damage
the army's underbelly
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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