subterranean
adjective
sub·ter·ra·nean
ˌsəb-tə-ˈrā-nē-ən 
-nyən
variants
or less commonly subterraneous
ˌsəb-tə-ˈrā-nē-əs
-nyəs
1
: being, lying, or operating under the surface of the earth
2
: existing or working in secret : hidden
a subterranean network of criminals
subterraneanly
adverb
or less commonly subterraneously
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Go Underground With Subterranean
A tunnel is a subterranean road or pathway, and a subway is a subterranean railway. The subterranean vaults at Fort Knox hold billions of dollars of gold reserves. Subterranean reservoirs called aquifers are tapped for water; in places where the pressure on the subterranean water is great enough, a hole drilled in the ground will bring it bubbling to the surface.
Examples of subterranean in a Sentence
a subterranean bunker that supposedly could withstand even an atomic blast
Recent Examples on the Web
Rounding it all out is the inviting backyard, which is spotlighted by a heated pool and the aforementioned pool house with a deck up top and a partially subterranean garage down below.
—
Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2025
Their hybrid café/wine bar, restaurant with rooftop lounge, and intimate subterranean space create multiple moods for your evening.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 5 Feb. 2025
What to Know Iranian state media reported that the subterranean facility houses hundreds of cruise and ballistic missiles, designed to resist electronic warfare and aerial strikes.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
A day when people from all walks of life set aside their differences and focus their undivided attention on the prognostication abilities of a subterranean rodent.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 2 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for subterranean 
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Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2025
Their hybrid café/wine bar, restaurant with rooftop lounge, and intimate subterranean space create multiple moods for your evening.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 5 Feb. 2025
What to Know Iranian state media reported that the subterranean facility houses hundreds of cruise and ballistic missiles, designed to resist electronic warfare and aerial strikes.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
A day when people from all walks of life set aside their differences and focus their undivided attention on the prognostication abilities of a subterranean rodent.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 2 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for subterranean
Dictionary Entries Near subterranean
Cite this Entry
“Subterranean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subterranean. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subterranean
adjective
sub·ter·ra·nean
ˌsəb-tə-ˈrā-nē-ən
-nyən
1
: being, lying, or operating under the surface of the earth
2
: existing or working in secret : hidden
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