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Unbelievingly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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unbelievingly

[หŒสŒnbษชหˆliหvษชล‹li ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adverb

in disbelief

In a manner that shows a lack of belief or acceptance; skeptically.

Synonyms

disbelievingly, doubtfully, skeptically.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unbelievingly

Use when someone is genuinely surprised or finds something hard to believe, often with a sense of shock or astonishment.

  • She looked at the lottery ticket unbelievingly, unable to grasp that she had won.
  • He listened to the news unbelievingly, not fully comprehending what he had heard.
skeptically

Appropriate when someone questions the validity or truth of something, showing a critical, often questioning attitude.

  • She raised an eyebrow skeptically, doubting his grandiose claims.
  • The scientist regarded the new theory skeptically, needing more evidence before acceptance.
doubtfully

Best used when indicating hesitation or uncertainty, often when someone is unsure about the truth or correctness of something.

  • He looked at the broken clock doubtfully, wondering if it could still be fixed.
  • She spoke doubtfully about the plan, not entirely convinced it would work.
disbelievingly

Suitable when someone is not willing to accept something as true, showing refusal or rejection of the information presented.

  • He shook his head disbelievingly as he read the unbelievable story.
  • She stared disbelievingly at the results, sure there was a mistake.

Examples of usage

  • He shook his head unbelievingly.
  • She raised an eyebrow unbelievingly.
  • The witness looked at the suspect unbelievingly.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

  • In literature and film, disbelief often leads to dramatic plot twists, highlighting charactersโ€™ emotional struggles.
  • Songs sometimes use the theme of disbelief to convey feelings of heartbreak or shock, creating powerful emotional connections with listeners.
  • Famous quotes about disbelief often appear in popular narratives, emphasizing the tension between expectation and reality.

Psychology

  • Cognitive dissonance theory explains how individuals feel uncomfortable when confronted with conflicting beliefs, often leading to disbelief.
  • Research shows that humans are wired to seek explanations; when faced with absurd realities, disbelief can be a common response.
  • Emotional responses to events can significantly influence an individualโ€™s level of belief or disbelief, especially in traumatic situations.

Literature

  • Characters in classic literature often express disbelief when confronted with the supernatural or impossible situations, illustrating the limits of human understanding.
  • In poetry, disbelief can evoke strong imagery and emotions, inviting readers to explore deeper meanings beneath the surface.
  • Contemporary writers increasingly use disbelief as a central theme, allowing for exploration of complex social issues and personal challenges.

Cultural Perspectives

  • Different cultures have unique responses to disbelief, often influenced by their beliefs, traditions, and collective experiences.
  • In some societies, disbelief in a common understanding can serve as a catalyst for social change or conflict.
  • Rituals and storytelling traditions can be mechanisms for addressing disbelief, helping communities process and make sense of extraordinary events.

Origin of 'unbelievingly'

Main points about word origin

  • The prefix 'un-' comes from Old English, meaning 'not' or 'opposite of'.
  • The root 'believe' is derived from the Old English 'be-liefan', which means 'to hold dear'.
  • '-ingly' is a suffix that turns an adjective or verb into an adverb to describe how an action is performed.

The word 'unbelievingly' is a combination of the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' or 'opposite of' and the word 'believingly', which is derived from the verb 'believe'. The suffix '-ly' is added to transform the adjective 'believing' into the adverb 'believingly'. The use of 'unbelievingly' dates back to the early 17th century, where it was first recorded in written English.

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

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,621, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.