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
- disbeliever noun
- disbelieving adjective
- disbelievingly adverb
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
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The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle
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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.
Few of the now grown-up McMartin children have spoken publicly, but some have described the pressure to fabricate stories or disbelieve innocent memories in favor of traumatic ones.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2024
He says we should guard against the danger of too much cynicism too - that deepfakes lead us to disbelieve reputable information.
From BBC • Feb. 2, 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
You will probably not believe that, and if I were to try to explain it you would disbelieve me more than ever.
From "Absalom, Absalom!" by William Faulkner
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.
