disbelief

[dis-bi-leef]

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.

disbelief

/ ˌdɪsbɪˈliːf /

noun

1. refusal or reluctance to believe

Word History and Origins

Origin of disbelief¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

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.”

Example Sentences

“Hold up a second. This all makes for a nice story, but it goes way beyond a general suspension of disbelief. You’re talking about souls, and an afterlife, and some all-girl council.”

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The Incorrigibles batted at their ears in puppyish disbelief, an old habit that only popped up at moments of extreme confusion.

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“You know how to spell?” she asked, looking at my mother in disbelief.

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Their reaction after the diagnosis was "disbelief, really".

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Host Josh Johnson played the clip on Wednesday night and reacted with disbelief.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• distrust 
• incredulity 
• mistrust