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
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
The primary retracting wheels flank the brush roll, with an omnidirectional caster wheel at the front of the underbelly.
—
PCMAG, 28 Feb. 2025
Love planet Venus starts retrograding in your enigmatic eighth house on March 1, prompting a review of the hidden underbelly of all your closest bonds.
—Nina Kahn, StyleCaster, 24 Feb. 2025
Not all barn owls have white underbellies, however; some have reddish-brown plumage instead.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
Roger Ebert famously panned it, though other critics hailed it as a brave and unsparing look at the underbelly of small-town ordinariness.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underbelly
PCMAG, 28 Feb. 2025
Love planet Venus starts retrograding in your enigmatic eighth house on March 1, prompting a review of the hidden underbelly of all your closest bonds.
—Nina Kahn, StyleCaster, 24 Feb. 2025
Not all barn owls have white underbellies, however; some have reddish-brown plumage instead.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
Roger Ebert famously panned it, though other critics hailed it as a brave and unsparing look at the underbelly of small-town ordinariness.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underbelly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underbelly
Noun
-
When Israeli legislators complained that Lansky probably planned to consort with the local underworld, the government changed its mind and rejected his application.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2025
-
This mafia underworld has long been hidden, and Mafia: Most Wanted is about to change that.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
On the underside of the laptop, the dual batteries are designed for hot-swapping, while the M.2-format storage drive can also be swapped without tools.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Look for eggs that are usually laid on the underside of the leaves.—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The passenger who shot him was stabbed in the back and lungs and remains in critical condition, according to CBS News.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The treadmill won as his body rolled onto its side and quickly moved him to the back and off.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Teams that finish over the second apron in two or more years over a four-year span have that seven-years-in-the-future pick automatically moved to the bottom of the first round.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Arrange the shards in a layer in the bottom of your planter.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Out of all of her spring blooms, Gaines had a soft spot for the delicate ranunculus.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Most people are looking for a young and friendly family dog, but there are a few of us out there who have a soft spot for the outcasts with a bit of a temper.—
Kevin Sabet,
Newsweek,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Zachary Naegele, 24, was competing at the Conley Invitational in Palmetto, Florida, last week when the bull’s horn punctured his jugular, causing blood to stream out in a heart-pounding, caught-on-camera moment.—
Michael Dorgan,
Fox News,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Gone are the days of Ami Cusack cutting down men without hesitation or Natalie Bolton flossing her teeth with Jason Siska’s jugular.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Underbelly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underbelly. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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