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

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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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

disbelief

Sean Young, the secretary of Portaferry Gaelic Athletic Club, where Mageean played camogie in her younger years, said its members were in "disbelief and shock" at her death.

From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026

The moves by the 45-year-old senator have been met in Brazil with a mixture of derision, disbelief, and disapproval, even from within his own camp.

From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026

Watching someone insist on their version of reality in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary evokes all manner of emotions: disgust, anger, disbelief, admiration and, of course, doubt.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026

“I’m in total disbelief my Commanders had such poor clock management,” Magic Johnson posted on X. “All we had to do was kick the field goal and we would have won the game!”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026

Taran, whose head still spun with confusion and disbelief, strained against his bonds.

From "The Black Cauldron" by Lloyd Alexander

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Related Words

• distrust
• incredulity
• mistrust

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