disbelief

noun

dis·​be·​lief ˌdis-bə-ˈlēf 

: the act of disbelieving : mental rejection of something as untrue

Synonyms of disbelief

• skepticism
• doubt
• incredulity
• suspicion
• unbelief

Examples of disbelief in a Sentence

She stared at him in utter disbelief.

their story explaining their absence was met with frank disbelief

Recent Examples on the Web

After hearing all his accomplishments and accolades from his 40+ year career, Yoshiki is taken aback in disbelief. — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Ignoring the counsel of family, friends and political advisors who, to a person, warned against it, Huffman revealed his religious disbelief in a series of statements and interviews in November 2017. — Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Smita Sharma, who helped her mom study for the naturalization exam, expressed both excitement and disbelief. — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 5 July 2026

The next day in Budapest’s Kossuth Square, opposite the Parliament building, tens of thousands of Hungarians, young and old, stared in jubilation and disbelief at the giant screens streaming the inaugural ceremonies taking place inside. — Gordon F. Sander, The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1639, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing disbelief

• suspend (one's) disbelief

Rhymes for disbelief

• cloverleaf
• leitmotif
• overleaf
• unbelief
• beef
• brief
• chief
• fief
• grief
• leaf
• lief
• reef

Kids Definition

disbelief

noun

dis·​be·​lief ˌdis-bə-ˈlēf 

: the act or state of disbelieving : mental rejection of something as untrue