disbelief

noun

ˌdis-bə-ˈlēf How to pronounce disbelief (audio)
Definition of disbeliefnext
as in skepticism
refusal to accept something as true their story explaining their absence was met with frank disbelief

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disbelief His dad, Ben Erickson, had asked in disbelief if his new baby was dying — if Matthew was born dying. — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026 Shortly after, a young man stumbles towards Pat from the direction of the pub, rubbing his eyes in disbelief. — Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026 Skateboarding Is Not for Girls is competing in the feature film selection, and Duma is still in disbelief. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026 Berkeley resident Max Lynn watched in disbelief last month as the City Council voted to eliminate over half of the parking spaces on Hopkins Street in favor of bike lanes. — Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disbelief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disbelief
  1. skepticism
  2. doubt
  3. incredulity
  4. suspicion
  5. unbelief
Noun
  • If Lex seems pessimistic about the Eagles, Josh is pushing back against any skepticism.
    — Zach Berman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Separate Gallup polling conducted in 2025 found that skepticism about the safety of driverless cars had risen over the previous several years.
    — Bernard Condon, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of skepticism
Noun
  • In most other franchises, a 4-2 road trip through two New York boroughs could calm the speculation, but one with such enormous standards — and that has already taken drastic action — doesn’t receive that benefit of the doubt.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Without a doubt, opponents of the deal will seize on that as evidence of its being exploitative and will demand renegotiation on that basis.
    — Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of doubt
Noun
  • After the third shooting, however, the American public’s incredulity about the official narrative became hard to ignore.
    — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • James extended both arms in incredulity during the pre-overtime break.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
Definition of incredulity
Noun
  • According to the report, there was no suspicion that Russini was closer to Vrabel than anyone else.
    — Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Once viewed with suspicion by much of the political establishment, nationalist parties have increasingly gained influence within governments and European institutions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of suspicion
Noun
  • My own passage into and back out of unbelief—one marked by a close reading of works that earlier illiberal societies had attempted to suppress on religious grounds—has strengthened my liberal commitments.
    — Christopher Beha, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
  • But the indirect benefits seem to reflect a posture against green energy, related to unbelief in climate change, and these lead to support for inefficient energy alternatives like nuclear and geothermal and gas-fired turbines.
    — Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of unbelief

Browse Nearby Words

disbars
disbelief
disbeliefs
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disbelief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disbelief. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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