underbelly

noun

un·​der·​bel·​ly ˈən-dər-ˌbe-lē 

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

Synonyms

• demimonde
• demiworld
• half-world
• netherworld
• underworld

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

Determined to protect his loved ones, Jake and his new K-9 partner Argos delve into a violent underbelly of crime where Jake confronts corrupt officials, uncovers a perilous drug trafficking ring and battles his own inner demons. —Alex Ritman, Variety, 18 May 2024

Thus begins James’ journey through the underbelly of Vancouver to retrieve his ride and prevent himself from falling back into a downward spiral. —Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

Hidden beneath jokes and inspirational moments, the underbelly of the industry was showing. —Kathleen Newman-Bremang, refinery29.com, 17 Jan. 2024

The model showed the waves rippling across the underbellies of the continents at a rate of 15 to 20 kilometers per million years, an imperceptible fraction of a sloth’s pace. —Byhannah Richter, science.org, 7 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

underbelly

noun

un·​der·​bel·​ly ˈən-dər-ˌbel-ē 

: the underpart of a body or mass

the underbelly of a bomber

also : an area open to attack or damage

the army's underbelly