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
Ajay Devgn is back as Amay Patnaik in Raid 2, and the sequel digs deeper into the underbelly of India’s political corruption.
—
Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
Today the silk duvets are still sewn by hand in the underbelly of the hotel.
—Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 5 May 2025
This 74-episode slow-burn neo-noir mystery series is about a successful young surgeon enmeshed in the underbelly of international crime and politics.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 2 May 2025
People will be surprised by the underbelly of this world, and how a dangerous player like Smith can manipulate the system, manipulate viewership, manipulate the parents, and manipulate the kids.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underbelly
Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
Today the silk duvets are still sewn by hand in the underbelly of the hotel.
—Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 5 May 2025
This 74-episode slow-burn neo-noir mystery series is about a successful young surgeon enmeshed in the underbelly of international crime and politics.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 2 May 2025
People will be surprised by the underbelly of this world, and how a dangerous player like Smith can manipulate the system, manipulate viewership, manipulate the parents, and manipulate the kids.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underbelly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underbelly
Noun
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Detectives believe his connections with the criminal underworld in Thailand may have begun during his 2019 spell there playing for PTT Rayong.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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Based on a webtoon called Mercy For None: Plaza Wars, the Netflix noir follows the vengeance campaign of Nam Gi-jun (Doctor Lawyer’s So Ji-sub), a former key member of Seoul’s criminal underworld.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
If your cloth mat has a non-stick material on the underside, do not put it in the dryer.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
14 June 2025
-
The ports on the charger are on the underside so cables hang from the ports which puts less strain on them and should help the charging cables last longer.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Noun
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It can be kicked while kids are on their back, pawed at during tummy time, and played like a real piano (after being tilted up 90 degrees).—
Cameron LeBlanc,
Parents,
5 June 2025
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For those who experience back or hip pain, Troxel suggests sleeping on the back with a pillow under the knees.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
5 June 2025
Noun
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The Orion constellation is at the bottom left, while Jupiter is just left of the center and Venus is on the far right.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
12 June 2025
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In the first game, the Dodgers and Astros were tied 2-2 going into the bottom of the 10th.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2025
Noun
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Browne seems to have a soft spot for the 900-foot-high Chenoweth Home Ranch Vineyard; the grapes from here provide a combination of red- and dark-fruit flavors to which Browne attributes a constant sense of movement on the palate.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
1 June 2025
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Xu is an avid Gold State Warriors basketball fan but has a soft spot for the Chicago Bulls, having spent many years in Illinois.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
31 May 2025
Noun
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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
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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 19 Jun. 2025.
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