Disbelieve: meaning, definitions and examples

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disbelieve

[ˌdɪs.bɪˈliːv ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

express doubt

To disbelieve means to reject or refuse to accept something as true. It is the act of not believing or having doubts about something.

Synonyms

doubt, question, skepticism.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
disbelieve	Use this when someone is convinced that something is not true, often without any room for uncertainty. She disbelieves the rumors about her friend. Despite all evidence, he continues to disbelieve the idea of climate change.
doubt	This is appropriate when someone is unsure or has a lack of conviction about something. It implies uncertainty. I doubt we'll finish the project on time. She doubted his ability to keep the secret.
skepticism	This term is best for describing an attitude of doubt or general unwillingness to believe something without convincing evidence. It often has a slightly negative connotation. Her skepticism about the project made everyone nervous. There is growing skepticism about the new policy.
question	Use this when someone is actively seeking answers or challenging the validity of something. It involves curiosity or scrutiny. He questioned the accuracy of the report. She began to question her own beliefs.

Examples of usage

I disbelieve the conspiracy theories circulating online.
She disbelieves his excuses for being late.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

lack of trust

To disbelieve can also mean to lack trust or confidence in someone or something. It implies a sense of distrust or suspicion.

Synonyms

distrust, mistrust, suspicion.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
disbelieve	Used when someone cannot accept or be convinced of something as true. She disbelieves the rumors about her friend. He disbelieves the explanation given by the company.
mistrust	Similar to 'distrust' but often suggests a more general or habitual lack of trust. She mistrusts strangers due to past experiences. The community's mistrust of the police has been growing.
suspicion	Useful for indicating a belief that something might be true, especially something negative, without clear proof. There was a suspicion that the deal was not entirely legal. He looked at her with suspicion, wondering what she was hiding.
distrust	Applicable in situations where there is a lack of trust in someone or something, often because of past experiences. There was a clear distrust between the two parties. The public began to distrust the government after the scandal.

Examples of usage

I disbelieve his promises after he broke his word multiple times.
The public disbelieves the government's claims due to past deception.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

state of disbelief

As a noun, disbelieve refers to the state of not believing in something or having doubts. It is the absence of faith or confidence in a particular idea or concept.

Synonyms

doubt, skepticism, unbelief.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
disbelieve	When someone cannot accept something as true or genuine, often with strong personal conviction. She disbelieves his story about the encounter with the celebrity. Many people disbelieve the claims made by the politician.
doubt	When someone feels uncertain or lacks conviction about something, often requiring further evidence. He began to doubt his own abilities after the failed project. There is some doubt about the accuracy of the report.
skepticism	A general attitude of questioning or doubt towards accepted beliefs, facts, or statements, often requiring substantial proof. There was widespread skepticism towards the new scientific theory. She listened to the fantastic claim with a healthy dose of skepticism.
unbelief	A lack of belief or faith, often used in religious or philosophical contexts. His unbelief in the afterlife led him to focus on the present. They struggled with unbelief after the tragic events.

Examples of usage

Her disbelieve in the supernatural led her to reject the idea of ghosts.
The disbelieve of the jury resulted in an acquittal for the defendant.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the prefix 'dis-', meaning 'not', and 'believe', which is rooted in the Old English 'gelēafa' meaning 'faith'.
In Middle English, 'disbelieve' was first recorded in the 14th century, growing from the earlier forms of 'belief'.

Psychology

Disbelief can be a defense mechanism, helping people to cope with overwhelming information or situations.
Studies show that cognitive dissonance occurs when new information contradicts existing beliefs, leading individuals to disbelieve the new data.

Literature

Authors often explore themes of belief and disbelief to challenge characters’ faith in themselves or their world.
Classic literature, like '1984' by George Orwell, presents disbelief as a form of rebellion against oppressive truths.

Pop Culture

Disbelief is a common theme in movies, often seen in characters who refuse to accept a shocking truth about their lives.
Inkling of disbelief can be found in famous quotes, like in 'The Matrix': ‘What is real? How do you define real?’ which questions perception and belief.

Translations

Translations of the word "disbelieve" in other languages:

🇵🇹 não acreditar

🇮🇳 अविश्वास करना

🇩🇪 nicht glauben

🇮🇩 tidak percaya

🇺🇦 не вірити

🇵🇱 nie wierzyć

🇯🇵 信じない

🇫🇷 ne pas croire

🇪🇸 no creer

🇹🇷 inanmamak

🇰🇷 믿지 않다

🇸🇦 لا يصدق

🇨🇿 nevěřit

🇸🇰 neveriť

🇨🇳 不相信

🇸🇮 ne verjeti

🇮🇸 trúa ekki

🇰🇿 сенбеу

🇬🇪 არ დაიჯერო

🇦🇿 inanmamaq

🇲🇽 no creer

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,811, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
23808 abstaining
23809 illegitimacy
23810 gutted
23811 disbelieve
23812 sported
23813 legitimize
23814 aerodrome
...