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
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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
Also neat is that half of the underbelly is ridged, for some added texture.
—
Kristin Canning, SELF, 9 Jan. 2025
The result is a sordid yet realistic portrait of the underbelly of Seoul’s glamorous Gangnam district.
—Regina Kim, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024
To look at an underbelly of a subculture, to me, is fascinatingly fun.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 14 Nov. 2024
The whole look at the underbelly of promotions in country music — that was very intriguing.
—Melonee Hurt, The Tennessean, 15 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for underbelly
Kristin Canning, SELF, 9 Jan. 2025
The result is a sordid yet realistic portrait of the underbelly of Seoul’s glamorous Gangnam district.
—Regina Kim, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024
To look at an underbelly of a subculture, to me, is fascinatingly fun.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 14 Nov. 2024
The whole look at the underbelly of promotions in country music — that was very intriguing.
—Melonee Hurt, The Tennessean, 15 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for underbelly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underbelly
Noun
-
Together the two enter a whirlwind romance sending them down the rabbit hole of drugs and depravity in Manhattan’s underworld.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
20 Feb. 2025
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Along their journey, Majima and his crew come into the crosshairs of the criminal pirate underworld of Madlantis, setting the stage for a level of cartoonishness that would be considered kind of ridiculous, even for this franchise’s standards.—
Isaiah Colbert,
Rolling Stone,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Make sure to get all the crevices, corners, edges and the underside.—
Cody Godwin,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
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Seen from below, the frogs’ undersides are creamy yellow with orange-tinged limbs.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Since 2008, he's reportedly had close to 15 surgeries, with six on his back alone, according to NBC.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Ragin’ Cajuns football jerseys and a crucifix hang above the back counter.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
If the bottom falls out of, say, the Chinese real-estate market—among the largest asset classes in the world—the entire global economy could totter.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
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At the bottom of Instacart’s rankings are arrabiata (.9%), spicy tomato (.1%) and puttanesca (.02%).—
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The album failed to chart at the time, but many fans have long held a soft spot for Superficial, feeling the project was harshly judged due to Heidi and Spencer's fame.—
Jack Irvin,
People.com,
13 Jan. 2025
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There's a notion out there that President Donald Trump doesn't much like NATO, has a soft spot for Russian President Vladimir Putin, and admires authoritarians that drive globalists nuts.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Almost straight from the restart, France pressured Argentina into a hurried clearance, and from there France went straight for the jugular.—
Jonathan Clegg,
WSJ,
18 Dec. 2022
-
Monica goes for the jugular, among other vulnerable body parts.—
Charles McNultyTheater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Dec. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Underbelly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underbelly. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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