underworld

noun

un·​der·​world ˈən-dər-ˌwərld How to pronounce underworld (audio)
Synonyms of underworldnext
1
: the place of departed souls : hades
2
archaic : earth
3
: the side of the earth opposite to one : antipodes
4
: a social sphere below the level of ordinary life
the town's seedy underworld
especially : the world of organized crime

Synonyms of underworld

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Examples of underworld in a Sentence

a magazine article taking an insightful look at the underworld inhabited by street people
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After slowly changing the theatrical underworld as the king of midnight movies, Curry spent the rest of his acting career gleefully refusing to be pinned down. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile Eddie’s rise through the criminal underworld is mirrored by his rise through the British establishment, bringing him into the circle of a new oleaginous aristo played by Hugh Bonneville, who is joining the cast. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026 Because these operations draw from the criminal underworld, the Iranian regime can deny any involvement. — Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026 And yet, few authors, if any, have captured the spirit of the culinary underworld with such raw honesty and authenticity. — Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for underworld

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of underworld was in 1598

Phrases Containing underworld

Rhymes for underworld

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Browse Nearby Words

underworker
underworld
under wraps
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Cite this Entry

“Underworld.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underworld. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

underworld

noun
un·​der·​world ˈən-dər-ˌwərld How to pronounce underworld (audio)
1
: the place of the souls of the dead
2
: the side of the earth opposite to one
3
: the world of organized crime
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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