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Disbelieving Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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disbelieving

[หŒdษชsbษชหˆliหvษชล‹ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

in disbelief

feeling or expressing disbelief or doubt; skeptical

Synonyms

doubtful, incredulous, skeptical, unbelieving.

Examples of usage

  • She gave him a disbelieving look.
  • He listened with a disbelieving expression on his face.
  • I was met with disbelieving stares from the audience.
  • The news was met with disbelieving laughter.
  • His disbelieving tone suggested he didn't trust the information.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • People may experience disbelieving as a defensive mechanism when faced with shocking news or information that conflicts with their existing beliefs.
  • Disbelief can lead to cognitive dissonance, a psychological discomfort when holding two contradictory thoughts or beliefs.

Pop Culture

  • Numerous films and books explore themes of disbelief, showcasing characters who struggle to accept extraordinary or supernatural events.
  • Songs often express feelings of disbelief, particularly in emotional contexts, highlighting how it feels to doubt truth and reality.

Literature

  • In literary works, characters often grapple with disbelief as a plot device, enhancing tension as they confront unimaginable realities.
  • Authors use disbelieving characters to question societal norms and challenge preconceived notions, enriching the narrative.

Social Dynamics

  • Disbelief can be contagious in social settings; when one person doubts something, it may lead others to question it too.
  • The phenomenon of 'groupthink' showcases how collective disbelief can stifle individual questioning and critical thinking.

Origin of 'disbelieving'

Main points about word origin

  • The prefix 'dis-' means 'not' or 'opposite of,' adding a negation to the root word 'believe,' which comes from Old English 'belief' meaning 'to hold dear.'
  • The term has been used in various forms since the late 14th century, evolving from 'disbelieven' to its current form.

The word 'disbelieving' is derived from the verb 'disbelieve', which dates back to the 17th century. The prefix 'dis-' indicates negation, while 'believe' comes from the Old English word 'belyfan', meaning 'to have faith in'. Over time, 'disbelieving' has evolved to convey a sense of skepticism or doubt.

See also: belief, beliefs, believability, believable, believe, believer, believers, disbelieve, disbeliever, nonbeliever, nonbelieving, unbelievability, unbelievable, unbelievably, unbelieving, unbelievingly.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,478, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.