Underbelly — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈən-dər-ˌbe-lē/ un·der·bel·ly

Meaning & Definition of Underbelly

Underbelly (noun)

  1. a vulnerable area; also, a corrupt or sordid part
  2. the underside of a body or mass

Underbelly (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: demimonde, demiworld, half-world, netherworld, underworld
    related: abyss, depths

  2. the side or part facing downward from something

    "the underbelly of the old submarine is in bad shape"

    similar: bottom, underbody, underpart, underside, undersurface
    related: belly, sole, toe, base, floor, foot, ground, seat, underpinning, undercarriage
    opposite: face, top
    near: acme, apex, climax, crest, crown, culmination, height, high-water mark, meridian, peak, pinnacle, roof, summit, cusp, head, point, tip, tip-top, zenith

  3. a vulnerable point

    "the vast, thinly guarded southern border was obviously the underbelly of the nation's line of defense"

    similar: Achilles' heel, back, chink, jugular, soft spot
    related: downfall, ruin, undoing, hamartia, tragic flaw

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Underbelly

The most common words with a similar meaning to Underbelly:

demimonde, demiworld, half-world, netherworld, underworld, bottom, underbody, underpart, underside, undersurface, Achilles' heel, back, chink, jugular, soft spot

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Underbelly

Words with the opposite meaning of Underbelly:

face, top

Related Words for Underbelly

abyss, depths, belly, sole, toe, base, floor, foot, ground, seat, underpinning, undercarriage, downfall, ruin, undoing, hamartia, tragic flaw

Near Antonyms of Underbelly

acme, apex, climax, crest, crown, culmination, height, high-water mark, meridian, peak, pinnacle, roof, summit, cusp, head, point, tip, tip-top, zenith

Origin & Etymology of Underbelly

First known use: 1942

Frequently Asked Questions about Underbelly

What does "Underbelly" mean?

"Underbelly" means a vulnerable area; also, a corrupt or sordid part. As a noun, it is defined as: a vulnerable area; also, a corrupt or sordid part. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Underbelly"?

Other words for "Underbelly" include demimonde, demiworld, half-world, netherworld, underworld, bottom, underbody and underpart. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Underbelly" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Underbelly"?

There are 32 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Underbelly". Common alternatives include demimonde, demiworld, half-world, netherworld, underworld, bottom, underbody, underpart, underside and undersurface.

What is the opposite of "Underbelly"?

Antonyms of "Underbelly" include face and top. Near antonyms include acme, apex, climax and crest.

How do you use "Underbelly" in a sentence?

Examples of "Underbelly" in a sentence: "unable to get work in mainstream films, the actor ended up in Hollywood's underbelly—the porn industry"; "the underbelly of the old submarine is in bad shape"; "the vast, thinly guarded southern border was obviously the underbelly of the nation's line of defense".

Is "Underbelly" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Underbelly" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Underbelly"?

"Underbelly" is pronounced /ˈən-dər-ˌbe-lē/ and divided into syllables as un·der·bel·ly.

What is the origin of the word "Underbelly"?

First known use: 1942.