belie

[ bih-lahy ]

verb (used with object)

, be·lied, be·ly·ing.

1. to show to be false; contradict:

   His trembling hands belied his calm voice.

   Synonyms: gainsay, confute, repudiate, disprove, refute

   Antonyms: support, verify, substantiate, confirm, prove

2. to misrepresent:

   The newspaper belied the facts.

3. to act unworthily according to the standards of (a tradition, one's ancestry, one's faith, etc.).
4. Archaic. to lie about; slander.

belie

/ bɪˈlaɪ /

verb

1. to show to be untrue; contradict
2. to misrepresent; disguise the nature of

   the report belied the real extent of the damage

3. to fail to justify; disappoint

Derived Forms

• beˈlier, noun

Other Words From

• be·li·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of belie¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English belyen, Old English belēogan; be-, lie ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of belie¹

Old English belēogan ; related to Old Frisian biliuga , Old High German biliugan ; see be- , lie ¹

Synonym Study

See misrepresent.

Example Sentences

But the events around her entry into politics belie her image as the friendly woman next door in small town Iowa.

From The Daily Beast

But the causes belie a looming emergency that may leave hospitals scrambling, Red Cross officials said.

From The Daily Beast

This obviously contributes to under-reporting and may belie the campus' safety records.

From The Daily Beast

Those questions are what belie the real problem with effort.

From The Daily Beast

And if Obama has recently sounded like a paragon of judicious oversight, the actions of his administration belie his words.

From The Daily Beast

Bonnebault was squint-eyed and his physical appearance did not belie his depravity.

From Project Gutenberg

The Transport Company thought much of him, only they said he was reckless, and he surely acted youthful to belie his looks.

From Project Gutenberg

Archer's horse did not belie the character he had given of him.

From Project Gutenberg

She laughed to belie her words, but the note of agitation was not to be concealed.

From Project Gutenberg

Why, when I say I am not ashamed to be poor, does the blood rise in my cheeks to belie my words?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• distort
• gloss over
• mislead
• misstate