beneath

1 of 2

adverb

Synonyms of beneathnext
1
: in or to a lower position : below
the mountains and the towns beneath
2
: directly under : underneath
Look at the illustration and read what is beneath.

beneath

2 of 2

preposition

1
a
: in or to a lower position than : below
beneath the surface
b
: directly under
the ground beneath her feet
c
: at the foot of
a camp beneath a hill
2
: not suitable to the rank of : unworthy of
a job that is beneath his dignity
3
: under the control, pressure, or influence of
the chair sagged beneath his weight
4
: concealed by : under the guise of
a warm heart beneath a gruff manner

Synonyms of beneath

Examples of beneath in a Sentence

Adverb the mountains and the towns beneath the sky above and the earth beneath an awning with chairs and tables beneath The ground beneath is covered with flowers. Preposition the sky above us and the earth beneath us just beneath the surface of the water The painting is hanging on the wall with a plaque beneath it. We had a picnic beneath a large tree. The paper was hidden beneath a pile of books. She wore a sweater beneath her coat.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adverb
Under cathodic polarization, those oxides were reduced, exposing the metallic alloy beneath. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 Annie asked Star, who was moving toward the door, adjusting the elastic on her G-string, running her finger beneath. — Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026
Preposition
An arch of roses painted by Messel himself, long hidden beneath layers of paint, has now been carefully revealed and restored as a quiet gesture to the artist, and the spirit, behind the room. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026 Gendarmes stood guard Saturday beneath the Arc de Triomphe and shopkeepers boarded up storefronts across Paris. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beneath

Word History

Etymology

Adverb and Preposition

Middle English benethe, from Old English beneothan, from be- + neothan below; akin to Old English nithera nether — more at nether

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of beneath was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beneath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beneath. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

beneath

1 of 2 adverb
: in or to a lower position : below

beneath

2 of 2 preposition
1
a
: lower than : below
b
: directly under
2
: not worthy of
work beneath your dignity
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