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Unbelief Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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unbelief

[หŒสŒnbษชหˆliหf ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in religion

Lack of belief in the existence or truth of something, especially in relation to religion.

Synonyms

disbelief, doubt, skepticism.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unbelief

Use this word when describing a complete absence of faith or belief, often in a religious or philosophical sense.

  • Her unbelief in the existence of a higher power was well known
disbelief

This word is appropriate when someone is confronted with something unexpected or hard to accept and they find it hard to believe.

  • He shook his head in disbelief when he heard the news
skepticism

This word fits when someone generally questions the truth of something or is inclined to doubt claims until convincing evidence is presented. Often used in scientific or critical thinking contexts.

  • There was widespread skepticism about the new company's ability to deliver on its promises
doubt

Use this word to describe a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction. It doesn't mean a complete rejection, but rather hesitation or questioning.

  • She expressed some doubt about the validity of the experiment

Examples of usage

  • His unbelief in the existence of God led him to atheism.
  • She struggled with unbelief after experiencing a personal tragedy.
Context #2 | Noun

general

Lack of belief or confidence in something.

Synonyms

distrust, mistrust, suspicion.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unbelief

Typically used in a religious or spiritual context to describe a lack of faith or belief in a higher power or doctrine.

  • His unbelief in the afterlife caused him much anxiety.
  • She struggled with unbelief all her life.
distrust

Used when there is a general lack of trust or confidence in someone or something, often based on past experiences or evidence. It can be negative depending on the context.

  • There was a growing distrust of the government among the citizens.
  • His distrust of strangers made him very cautious.
suspicion

Used when there is a feeling or belief that someone is guilty or something is not right, based on intuition or slight evidence, often implying secrecy or dishonesty. It carries a negative connotation.

  • Her suspicion of his motives was evident.
  • The police acted on the suspicion that he was the culprit.
mistrust

Refers to a lack of trust or confidence, similarly to 'distrust,' but often implies a deeper level of skepticism and can also be negative.

  • Her mistrust of doctors kept her from getting the help she needed.
  • He couldn't shake off his mistrust of the new business partner.

Examples of usage

  • The team's unbelief in their ability to win the championship held them back.
  • Her unbelief in the company's future prospects led her to seek employment elsewhere.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Philosophy

  • Philosophers have long debated the nature of belief and unbelief, exploring how they affect human existence and morality.
  • Unbelief can sometimes lead to skepticism, where individuals question accepted beliefs or doctrines.

Psychology

  • Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that individuals may experience discomfort when their beliefs are challenged, leading to unbelief.
  • Studies show that when people encounter overwhelming evidence against their beliefs, they may reject that evidence to maintain their current beliefs.

Religion

  • In many religious contexts, unbelief is viewed as a serious issue, often associated with doubt or lack of faith.
  • Some religious texts discuss unbelief as a choice that can lead to moral consequences or spiritual separation.

Literature

  • Unbelief is a common theme in literature, representing inner conflict and the struggle between faith and doubt.
  • Various characters in classic novels embody unbelief, often prompting existential questions about the nature of truth and trust.

Origin of 'unbelief'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originates from the Old English 'unbelief', combining 'un-' (not) and 'belief' (trust or faith).
  • Historically, the prefix 'un-' has been used in various languages to indicate negation or the opposite of the root word.

The word 'unbelief' originated from Middle English 'unbeleve', which came from Old English 'ungeleรกfa'. The prefix 'un-' signifies negation, while 'belief' traces back to the Latin word 'credere', meaning 'to trust'. Over time, 'unbelief' has evolved to encompass both religious and general contexts where doubt or lack of faith is present.

See also: disbelief, misbelief.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,033, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.