Unbelievingly: meaning, definitions and examples

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unbelievingly

[ˌʌnbɪˈliːvɪŋli ]

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?

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

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.

Pop Culture

In literature and film, disbelief often leads to dramatic plot twists, highlighting characters’ 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 individual’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.

Translations

Translations of the word "unbelievingly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 incrédulamente

🇮🇳 अविश्वसनीय रूप से

🇩🇪 ungläubig

🇮🇩 dengan tidak percaya

🇺🇦 невіруюче

🇵🇱 niewierząco

🇯🇵 疑わしげに

🇫🇷 incrédulement

🇪🇸 incrédulamente

🇹🇷 inanmaz bir şekilde

🇰🇷 믿지 못하게

🇸🇦 بشكل غير مصدق

🇨🇿 nevěřícně

🇸🇰 neveriacky

🇨🇳 难以置信地

🇸🇮 nekoliko neverjetno

🇮🇸 efasemdarlaust

🇰🇿 сенімсіздікпен

🇬🇪 უწამლობლად

🇦🇿 inanmamaqla

🇲🇽 incrédulamente

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.

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39618 interlink
39619 embroilment
39620 shimmying
39621 unbelievingly
39622 blancmange
39623 wacko
39624 tiptop
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