disbelieve
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
-
(tr) to reject as false or lying; refuse to accept as true or truthful
-
to have no faith (in)
disbelieve in God
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of disbelieve
Explanation
When you disbelieve someone, you're unable to trust what they're saying. A detective is likely to disbelieve a suspect who's sweating nervously and not making eye contact. Believing something or someone means you've got confidence or faith. Add the prefix dis- to believe, and it's the exact opposite. If your cousin is famous for his tall tales, you'll probably disbelieve his story about meeting the Queen in England last summer. And if a jury disbelieves someone's testimony, they're likely to discount it when they start deliberating.
Vocabulary lists containing disbelieve
Selection Vocabulary 2, Unit 2
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The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle
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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.
Disbelieve as we may the details of the accounts which record the growth of the Christian religion, yet a great part of Christian teaching will remain as true as though we accepted the details.
From The Way of All Flesh by Butler, Samuel
"Disbelieve as you will in electric spiritual force," I said.
From A Romance of Two Worlds by Corelli, Marie
Disbelieve me or not, it is the truth that I am innocent.
From The Brand of Silence A Detective Story by Strong, Harrington
"Disbelieve it if you like, but it is quite ten years since he has been silent."
From Peasant Tales of Russia by Nemirovitch-Dantchenko, V.I.
Disbelieve, dis-be-lēv′, v.t. to refuse belief or credit to: to deny the truth of, esp. of religious dogmas.—ns.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
