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Synonyms

disbelief

American  
[dis-bi-leef] / ˌdɪs bɪˈlif /

noun

  1. the inability or refusal to believe or to accept something as true.

  2. amazement; astonishment.

    We stared at the Taj Mahal in disbelief.

idioms

  1. suspension of disbelief, the implicit convention requiring a reader, spectator, etc., to set aside their usual criteria for judging the reality or credibility of an experience in order to be be fully immersed in a fictional or fantastic reality: According to Coleridge, enlightened readers could still enjoy literature about the supernatural because of the phenomenon he named “willing suspension of disbelief.”

    The absurd plot in the last episode stretched our suspension of disbelief to the breaking point.

    According to Coleridge, enlightened readers could still enjoy literature about the supernatural because of the phenomenon he named “willing suspension of disbelief.”
disbelief British  
/ ˌdɪsbɪˈliːf /

noun

  1. refusal or reluctance to believe

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of disbelief

First recorded in 1665–75; dis- 1 + belief

Explanation

When you express disbelief, you make it clear that you don't believe something is real or true. Your reaction to your little brother's stories about fairies is likely to be disbelief. You'll probably encounter a lot of disbelief if you go around telling everyone you saw a UFO. You'll feel a sense of disbelief yourself if you learn you've won the lottery. In both cases, it just doesn't seem possible or real. The belief part of disbelief comes from the Old English word geleafa, "belief or faith," which evolved into bileave before becoming belief. The prefix dis- means "not" or "the opposite of."

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Vocabulary lists containing disbelief

Power Prefix: dis-

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All American Boys

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dis-

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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.

Even high-profile cases involving figures like Sean Combs reflect the same cultural reflex: disbelief, deflection, delay.

From Slate • Apr. 25, 2026

In disbelief, he looked at a residential building that had partially collapsed.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

“I’m in disbelief but I knew we ran something real fast,” said Collins, a sophomore who held off Marley Scoggins of Calabasas on the anchor leg.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

He insisted the event was real, sparking both disbelief and amusement among peers and online observers alike.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

“You ‘need’ them?” she asked, her bushy eyebrows practically leaving her face in disbelief.

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness

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.