unbelief

American  

[uhn-bi-leef] / ˌʌn bɪˈlif /

noun

1. the state or quality of not believing; incredulity or skepticism, especially in matters of doctrine or religious faith.

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unbelief British  

/ ˌʌnbɪˈliːf /

noun

1. disbelief or rejection of belief

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Etymology

Origin of unbelief

1125–75; Middle English unbelefe; un- ¹, belief

Explanation

You can use the noun unbelief to talk about a lack of belief in something, like your unbelief, since childhood, in fairies. When someone doesn't believe in something, that person has an unbelief. Most often, the term unbelief is used to talk specifically about religion. An atheist is characterized by her unbelief in a god or higher power beyond things that can be scientifically proven. Another word for unbelief is disbelief.

Example Sentences

For some, this struggle just leads back to unbelief.

From New York Times • Aug. 14, 2021

While celebrating after Game 5, Birdsong looked into Philadelphia’s thinning crowd and saw Erving’s then-wife, Turquoise, “in unbelief, shocked” in the stands.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2021

For all its vocal profession of unbelief, Gray finds this type to be nothing but “a hollowed-out version of the Christian belief in salvation in history.”

From Washington Post • Nov. 16, 2018

It is also a refreshing look beyond the so-called “new atheists” who have lately dominated the conversation surrounding unbelief.

From The New Yorker • Oct. 22, 2018

Tom glanced around to see if we mirrored his unbelief.

From " The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald