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 The mood that hangs over Tip Toe is two parts anxious dread to one part disbelief that things could really get quite so bad — as represented, with tragic irony, by Leo. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026 Cornell University’s investigation, of course, did not have to adhere to New York’s arguably archaic criminal standards, but its response, too, has triggered anger and disbelief across airwaves and social media. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2026 Could this explain why so many of our most reputable creatives are exploring what was once peripheral, spoken of with disbelief, and envisioning it as another possible dimension of existence? — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026 Carolyn Brandlein, a neighbor who knew Reynarowych, was left in disbelief. — Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disbelief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disbelief
  1. skepticism
  2. doubt
  3. incredulity
  4. suspicion
  5. unbelief
Noun
  • Of the 13 most competitive Senate races, seven Republicans have expressed skepticism or outright opposition to the agreement that is unlikely to significantly affect high diesel costs contributing to broader inflation.
    — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Leaning into many voters’ skepticism of artificial intelligence and data centers, Biss has also put forward a multipart plan to regulate the industry.
    — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of skepticism
Noun
  • Complicating things is the current Administration, which has mastered the art of using those message-delivery systems to spread doubt and discontent and suspicion.
    — Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Beset with doubts and periods of blockage, Krasner had to find constantly ways to move on and pursue a trajectory that was all her own, all while facing Pollock’s larger-than-life.
    — John Yau, ARTnews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of doubt
Noun
  • This incredulity is likely because people expect confidence in a memory’s accuracy to reflect its objective accuracy.
    — Elizabeth A. Phelps, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of incredulity
Noun
  • On Tuesday, Berkeley police investigators arrested Ayubi in El Cerrito for suspicion of two counts of felony hit-and-run.
    — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Searches of the data must be for law enforcement purposes only and there must be reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, the policy states.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 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
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Cite this Entry

“Disbelief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disbelief. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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