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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of disbelief

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

Example Sentences

Never has coaching disbelief been registered in a more disgusted fashion.

From The Wall Street Journal

There is sheer disbelief on people's faces here, confronted by this tragedy - they just can't believe it.

From BBC

Rock could only shake his head and smile in disbelief at the back of the stage as Hood continued to land double after double.

From BBC

On the day the money was distributed, staffers stared at their bonus letters in disbelief.

From The Wall Street Journal

Australians across the country are still reeling and there's a sense of shock and disbelief that something like this could have happened.

From BBC

Related Words

• distrust
• incredulity
• mistrust