belly up

verb

Definition of belly upnext
as in to close
to come near or nearer belly up to the buffet table and help yourselves

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 up Another set of execs and filmmakers wouldn’t have bellied up to this grim, gross anti-hero to round out their first trio of movies meant to reset a massive franchise. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2026 Try polka lessons, dress in your dirndl for the costume contests, or belly up to the bar for a shotski world record attempt. — Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Midwest Living, 1 Sep. 2026 Topline Google agreed to pay $10 million for an enormous trove of business data from bankrupt Spirit Airlines—raising questions about what happens to privacy after a company goes belly up and AI swoops in. — Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 And then, suddenly, a male orca soared into view, belly up, and smashed his head into the dead fish. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 23 July 2026 Snorkel with turtles in the Tobago Cays; relax on Canouan’s Godahl Beach; or belly up to Basil’s Bar on Mustique. — Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2026 Dominick’s, a nearly century-old company that once had some 70-plus outlets across Chicagoland, went belly up at the end of 2013 as competition from independents and chains took its toll. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026 The new place has a bar to belly up to, a beat-up car for families and kids to play in and pose for the 'Gram and TikTok, and colorful neon signs. — Charlie D'agata, CBS News, 10 June 2026 The store went belly up in a few short years as the Great Depression hit. — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belly up
  1. close
  2. approach
  3. draw on
  4. come
  5. near
  6. come up
Verb
  • Freshman Emma Luehrs had a service ace to close the set for the five-point win.
    — Alex Kushel, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
  • For example, because of their own home-buying timeline, a seller may need to close very quickly or may need more time than usual.
    — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of close
Verb
  • The result offers researchers a different way to approach quantum material design.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • With Election Day approaching, California voters are facing a crowded ballot and competing claims about what the state's propositions would do.
    — James Taylor, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of approach
Verb
  • The cookbook draws on the family's Southern, Sicilian and Cajun roots, bringing together recipes and traditions passed down through generations and shared at family gatherings.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
  • An October 7 analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), drawing on more than 90 Chinese-language sources, traces that process from battlefield observation to publicly visible changes in Chinese preparations.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of draw on
Verb
  • At meetings in 2014 and 2016, both of which came six days before elections, the Fed held steady.
    — Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Further announcements for the 2027 event will be due in the coming months.
    — Thomas Smith, Billboard, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of come
Verb
  • Winter apparel is discounted as spring approaches; summer clothing and outdoor furniture come down as fall nears.
    — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The idea has gained traction beyond Maryland, with similar legislation introduced in Delaware, New York and Georgia and nearing passage in the District of Columbia.
    — Jermaine F. Williams, Baltimore Sun, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of near
Verb
  • The tax came up in a conversation between the two after negotiations between Zuckerberg and the committee appeared to grow tense.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Whenever this feature comes up in conversations with other parents, at least one person is surprised and grateful to learn about it.
    — Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of come up

Browse Nearby Words

belly laughs
belly up
belong
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Belly up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belly%20up. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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