belie

[bih-lahy]

verb (used with object)

belied, belying 

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

Other Word Forms

• belier 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 his decision to switch to a more pragmatic five at the back for his last few games belied his principles early and doubts had crept into the squad.

Read more on BBC

The lack of official U.S. government data doesn’t belie what’s happening.

Read more on Barron's

Horvath’s Midwestern mien, unflagging politeness and warm smile belie her fierce ambition.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Of course it is all illusion, but the flattering lighting and bougie boxed waters belie that revelation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But this outcome belied an extended, hard-fought debate.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• distort 
• gloss over 
• mislead 
• misstate