belly 1 of 2

noun

ˈbe-lē How to pronounce belly (audio)
Definition of bellynext
1
as in stomach
a need or desire for food as dinnertime approached he could think only of his belly

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in corporation
an enlarged or bulging abdomen worked hard to get rid of his belly in time to attend his class reunion

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3
as in abdomen
the part of the body between the chest and the pelvis a baby with a round little belly

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4
as in soul
the seat of one's deepest thoughts and emotions in my belly I knew that he wasn't telling the truth, as the details of his story just didn't add up

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belly

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point the sails slowly bellied as the wind picked up

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to snake
to move slowly with the body close to the ground recruits were forced to belly over the obstacle course under simulated enemy fire

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of belly
Noun
Still, the Dolphins displayed a spirit and fire in the belly that many wondered about in the days leading up to the game. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 27 Sep. 2026 Black said adjustment takes time, including finding the right position and avoiding sleeping on his belly. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2026 The menu here runs from classic nigiri and sashimi to more elaborate rolls, including the High Street Roll made with tuna belly, salmon belly, uni, and fresh truffle. — Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026 By the time the first cells that are committed to develop into neurons show up, the vertebrate embryo already knows its head from its tail, and its back from its belly. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for belly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belly
  1. stomach
  2. fat
  3. abdomen
  4. soul
  5. protrude
  6. snake
  7. hunger
  8. paunch
Noun
  • Wells' family and their lawyers disputed the grand jury's findings, pointing to unexplained bruising on the back of his head and noting that his airways and stomach were devoid of water.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Keith died in February 2024 following a battle with stomach cancer.
    — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of stomach
Noun
  • Duck breasts hang over the flames during the day to render their fat.
    — John Kessler, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Chia Pudding Chia seeds are packed with fiber, healthy fats, and small amounts of protein.
    — Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of fat
Noun
  • Females are generally somewhat larger than males and have a pointed, protractable ovipositor (egg-laying organ) at the tip of their abdomens.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Copenhaver was struck in the arm and in the abdomen, wounds that left him with lingering injuries and walking with a cane.
    — Gene Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of abdomen
Noun
  • Regardless, losing the heart and soul of their Stanley Cup-winning squads is a blow the Panthers can ill afford, so here's hoping the road to recovery is quick for Barkov.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • At the end of all that immersiveness, exiting out onto the physical street to join the crowds of shuffling tourists and fend off sullen Elmos makes Times Square feel like the soul of authenticity.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of soul
Verb
  • Ping Ping, the male, has dark black circles around his eyes, while Fu Shuang, the female, has a forehead that protrudes a bit, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • As has the part where Reacher uses his left paw with two nails protruding from the palm as a makeshift Wolverine/Freddy Krueger stabbin’ hand.
    — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of protrude
Verb
  • By Wednesday afternoon, the line for visitor passes to get on base for the ship’s homecoming stretched several hundred feet, snaking across the lawn in front of the building and doubling back on itself.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Paths wind through a pebbled courtyard and stunning garden, first leading you past the hotel’s cafe, then snaking its way to the main building’s lobby.
    — Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of snake
Noun
  • Creating brand hunger while ensuring brands remain the pinnacle of creative prestige is no small feat.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Human traffickers are turning children’s hunger, desperation and need for affection into tools of exploitation, a Colorado city police sergeant warned after his dedicated unit’s first year brought dozens of survivors to safety.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of hunger
Noun
  • The hair may be grayer, the paunches a little more pronounced, and the joints a little creakier, but the Jackass promise of delivering the missing link between the Three Stooges and a snuff film remains.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2026
  • There is a funny thread of everyone thinking Woody’s getting a bit old – rocking a paunch and a poncho – while Buzz pines for Jessie.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Definition of paunch

Phrases Containing belly

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bellwethers
belly
bellyache
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Cite this Entry

“Belly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belly. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on belly

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about belly

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