1
as in underworlds
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
Relevance
2
as in undersides
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 backs
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 underbellies
Cashmere is expensive because these goats produce a limited amount of this precious fiber, found on their underbellies, and the process of obtaining the wool is labor-intensive.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underbellies
Noun
-
When the gang comes to the attention of Major Chester Campbell, a DCI in the Royal Irish Constabulary, the wheels are set in motion for adventures through the dangerous underworlds of early 20th-century Britain.—
Connor Sturges,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Mar. 2026
-
For Aronofsky, the city’s ethnic blend has no special claim on virtue; there seem to be as many criminal underworlds as there are demographic groups.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
These generally appear as white bumps or specks that encrust the stems, branches, and undersides of leaves and suck the sap.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Examine your satin pothos for signs of pests, paying close attention to the undersides of the leaves and any crevices between the stems and petioles.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Schiaparelli continues with the Directoire line in August, but lowered backs.—
Laird Borrelli-Persson,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2026
-
What was a surprise was that all four of Miami’s top running backs stayed with the team.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Seagrasses brought to these sea bottoms buried creeping stems, strong roots, and pliable leaves.—
David George Haskell,
Big Think,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Semiconductor maker Advanced Micro Devices and financial technology provider Intuit are also on the list, trading at smaller discounts to their pandemic bottoms, but still 16% and 24%, respectively.—
Tanaya Macheel,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Choose strawberries that are brightly colored, without mold or soft spots.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The challenges certainly will be there, with the Heat decidedly having shifted from the soft spots of their schedule, the next six against the Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and then a pair against the Cleveland Cavaliers.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Once Woll’s bratty vamp was through draining jugulars, the actress found a second signature role as Karen Page on Marvel’s Daredevil (2015–2018).—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Does the bazaar allow for chinks in the kind of class barriers that would usually exist?—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
23 Nov. 2025
-
But after the break, the Americans started to find some chinks in the English armour.—
Peter Carline,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underbellies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underbellies. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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