had believed
- past perfect of believe.
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.
Yet now it seems that the weak aren’t as weak as many had believed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026
Spielberg, whose "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" remains one of cinema's defining alien stories, told the crowd he had believed since childhood that humanity was not alone in the universe.
From Barron's ● Mar. 14, 2026
In 2021, Tarrant's former lawyer, Tony Ellis, said his client had believed "the simplest way out was to plead guilty", arguing the plea was made under duress.
From Barron's ● Feb. 8, 2026
After examining the evolutionary history of fungi, an international group of scientists has concluded that these organisms first appeared between 900 million and 1.4 billion years ago, far earlier than scientists had believed.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 28, 2025
She had believed she had hardened herself to any further pain he could cause her, but she’d been wrong.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
