disbelieve
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
-
(tr) to reject as false or lying; refuse to accept as true or truthful
-
to have no faith (in)
disbelieve in God
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has disbelievedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have disbelievedperfect
-
am disbelievingprogressive 1st person singular
-
are disbelievingprogressive
-
is disbelievingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
have been disbelievingperfect progressive
-
has been disbelievingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
disbelievingparticiple
-
disbelievessingular 3rd person
Past
-
had disbelievedperfect
-
had been disbelievingperfect progressive
-
was disbelievingprogressive singular
-
were disbelievingprogressive plural
-
disbelievedsimple
-
disbelievedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of disbelieve
Explanation
When you disbelieve someone, you're unable to trust what they're saying. A detective is likely to disbelieve a suspect who's sweating nervously and not making eye contact. Believing something or someone means you've got confidence or faith. Add the prefix dis- to believe, and it's the exact opposite. If your cousin is famous for his tall tales, you'll probably disbelieve his story about meeting the Queen in England last summer. And if a jury disbelieves someone's testimony, they're likely to discount it when they start deliberating.
Vocabulary lists containing disbelieve
Selection Vocabulary 2, Unit 2
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
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.
"Jurors may disbelieve one victim, but it's really hard for them to disbelieve many," he explained.
From BBC • Jun. 23, 2025
But the contradictions did not cause jurors to disbelieve her, said Harry MacLean, who wrote about the case in the book “Once Upon a Time: A True Story of Memory, Murder and the Law.”
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2024
Many people do disbelieve the very first approach by a scammer or a con artist.
From Salon • Jul. 11, 2023
Mr. Johnston said, “You cannot disbelieve the resurrection based on the historical accounts that we have. It is so well attested.”
From Washington Times • Apr. 6, 2023
I could not believe this strange story, and yet I could not disbelieve Samuel.
From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya
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.
