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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Relevance
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
Hyde has McCallany playing Detective Grimes, a haunted investigator descending into the decaying underbelly of a crumbling metropolis while hunting a brutal serial killer.
—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
1 June 2026
Pol learns the ropes alongside fellow stripper Noel (Daniel Fernando) and savvy prostitute Bambi (Jaclyn Jose), discovering an underbelly of protection rackets, human trafficking and rampant political corruption.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 June 2026
Russia views the region as its southern underbelly, essential to preserving its influence over the former Soviet space.
—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
There would be heroin dens and gay bars and this underbelly of popular culture at the time.
—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for underbelly
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
1 June 2026
Pol learns the ropes alongside fellow stripper Noel (Daniel Fernando) and savvy prostitute Bambi (Jaclyn Jose), discovering an underbelly of protection rackets, human trafficking and rampant political corruption.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 June 2026
Russia views the region as its southern underbelly, essential to preserving its influence over the former Soviet space.
—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
There would be heroin dens and gay bars and this underbelly of popular culture at the time.
—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for underbelly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underbelly
Noun
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In the dark underworld of New Orleans, the Winters family builds an empire around a powerful new drug—crafted from the ashes of the dead—that grants users vivid, haunting visions of the past.
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Del Toro remains one of Hollywood’s most imaginative visual entertainers, and the prospect of visiting his long-dormant underworld later in 2026 promises not just fresh nostalgia but maybe even total immersion.
Noun
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New leaves become cupped and turn pale green, the leaf edges turn yellow, and the undersides of the leaves may turn purplish.
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Aphids cluster on the undersides of leaves, and spider mites create webbing under the leaves.
Noun
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For the best chance of seeing them, move away from city lights, lie flat on your back and look toward the southern sky near the Aquarius constellation, NASA says.
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The butler's pantry comes complete with a wet bar and connects to the dining room, gallery and kitchen via a back staircase.
Noun
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Nineteen cannons discovered at the bottom of the Savannah River were unveiled Thursday as a part of a new exhibit at the Savannah History Museum.
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The Mets rank toward the bottom of the league in every offensive category.
Noun
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Millennials have a soft spot in their hearts for babydoll tops.
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For many Haitian fans, there were mixed emotions in a country that has long had a soft spot for Brazil’s soccer team.
Noun
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And then Alvarez went for the jugular with a grand slam to deep center field.
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The president’s instinct to go for the jugular was on display in his first campaign, when he was written off early on as an entertainer but found success with brutal takedowns.
Cite this Entry
“Underbelly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underbelly. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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