Unbelieving Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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unbelieving

[ˌʌnbɪˈliːvɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

skeptical

Having or showing doubt or skepticism; not easily convinced or persuaded.

Synonyms

disbelieving, doubtful, skeptical, suspicious.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unbelieving	When someone is completely unable to accept something as true, often due to a strong preconceived notion or belief. She was unbelieving when they told her about the surprise party.
skeptical	When someone questions the truth or validity of something, often requiring evidence or proof before believing. John was skeptical about the effectiveness of the new diet pills.
doubtful	When someone has uncertainty or lacks confidence in something or someone's reliability. She felt doubtful about passing the exam without more studying.
disbelieving	When a person explicitly refuses to believe something, typically something that is generally accepted by others. He had a disbelieving look on his face when he heard the news.
suspicious	When someone is wary and believes that someone or something might be dangerous or deceitful. This word often has a negative connotation. The police were suspicious of his alibi since it had several inconsistencies.

Examples of usage

I was met with unbelieving stares when I told them about my extraordinary experience.
The unbelieving student questioned the validity of the scientific study.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

distrustful

Lacking belief or trust in someone or something; skeptical or suspicious.

Synonyms

cynical, distrustful, skeptical, suspicious.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unbelieving	Used when someone simply does not believe something, often due to lack of evidence or because it’s hard to accept. She remained unbelieving despite all the eyewitness accounts. His tone was unbelieving when he heard the news.
distrustful	Used when someone has a general lack of trust in people or things, usually because of past experiences or inherent caution. She was distrustful of strangers after being cheated once. He gave a distrustful glance at the new employee.
suspicious	Used when someone suspects something is wrong, dishonest, or not as it seems, often implying a level of alertness or caution. His suspicious behavior made them think he was hiding something. The police grew suspicious of the man's unusual movements.
skeptical	Used when someone is inclined to doubt or question beliefs, statements, or the validity of certain claims, especially those that lack concrete evidence. She was skeptical about the diet's effectiveness. He remained skeptical until he saw the results for himself.
cynical	Used when someone believes that people are mostly motivated by self-interest, often in a critical manner. It has a negative connotation. He had a cynical view of politics, thinking all politicians were corrupt. Her cynical laughter made everyone uncomfortable.

Examples of usage

She gave an unbelieving look when he claimed he had no knowledge of the missing money.
The unbelieving expression on his face showed his lack of trust in the new proposal.

Translations

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

Origin of 'unbelieving'

The word 'unbelieving' originated from the combination of the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the present participle of the verb 'believe'. It first appeared in the English language in the 16th century, evolving to describe a state of doubt, skepticism, or lack of belief. Over time, it has been used to convey a sense of distrust or skepticism in various contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,546, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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23543 readjust
23544 mantelpiece
23545 pyre
23546 unbelieving
23547 hustled
23548 enmeshed
23549 bifurcated
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