believe
verb (used without object)
to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so.
believed
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past participleof believe.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof believe.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
believeverb (used without object)to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
According to Politico, which broke the story quoting anonymous sources, the British leader sent a "few messages" via an unspecified communication channel to a person he believed to be Wiles before becoming suspicious.
From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026
"No messages of significance" were exchanged and the texts were "quickly reported to the appropriate authorities" once they were believed to be suspicious, sources said.
From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026
“Like the thousands of people who have reached out since this tragedy to share their own experiences, he believed that the system had failed him and destroyed his life,” his lawyer said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026
"It's believed that the lifetime of a proton is longer than the lifespan of the universe," Lewis said.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 16, 2026
But he believed that she believed it, which sparked a flicker of warmth inside him.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
