Definition of beliefnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word belief different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of belief are credence, credit, and faith. While all these words mean "assent to the truth of something offered for acceptance," belief may or may not imply certitude in the believer.

my belief that I had caught all the errors

When is credence a more appropriate choice than belief?

While in some cases nearly identical to belief, credence suggests intellectual assent without implying anything about grounds for assent.

a theory now given credence by scientists

When can credit be used instead of belief?

Although the words credit and belief have much in common, credit may imply assent on grounds other than direct proof.

gave full credit to the statement of a reputable witness

In what contexts can faith take the place of belief?

While the synonyms faith and belief are close in meaning, faith almost always implies certitude even where there is no evidence or proof.

an unshakable faith in God

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of belief Contrary to popular belief, the potatoes aren’t close relatives. — Martha Stewart, 19 Oct. 2026 Americans may disagree on solutions, but many share the belief that financial incentives have distorted the system beyond recognition. — Scott Levenson, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026 The yet-untitled series is based on a short story by Eisenberg about a young woman where new ideas and relationships challenge her beliefs, sources said. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026 In a statement Sunday, the former president said the administration is targeting the Minnesota Democrat based on her political beliefs. — Violet Jira, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for belief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belief
Noun
  • When the removal cannot be measured directly, the credibility of each credit rests on the model used to calculate it.
    — Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The Horned Frogs’ defense deserves a ton of credit for shutting down a Baylor offense that scored 55 points and rolled up 564 yards in its last game against Arizona State.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The November election won't settle the tension between firearm freedoms and restrictions, but ballot questions in the two states will provide a gauge of public opinion.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The November election won't settle the tension between firearm freedoms and restrictions, but the ballot questions will provide a gauge of public opinion.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Next, the faith leaders responded with feedback and discussions, Sullivan said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
  • By shooting in Indonesia, Lee wants to draw on the country’s strong attachment to family, faith and community.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • These are songs that iterate and elevate minor party fouls into dramas of symphonic proportion, arrangements that articulate the heightened emotions churning inside anxious minds.
    — Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Several opinion polls show that rising costs of living are top of mind for voters ahead of the elections.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The second axiom of quantum mechanics is called the measurement postulate.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • What motivates voters Extensive research confirms the axiom that a sense of civic duty is the strongest predictor of whether someone will vote.
    — Christopher Miller, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Someone can always point to a fringe view that’s backed up by a different source somewhere on the Internet.
    — Gavin Francis, The New York Review of Books, 24 Oct. 2026
  • One of the two fake videos racked up roughly 857,000 views within 24 hours, according to an analysis by Alethea, a threat intelligence company.
    — Shannon Bond, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • But every business partner of Musk must be thinking that certainty may not be possible when dealing with the world's wealthiest person.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The deal gives the Timberwolves another year of cost certainty in managing future salary caps around the next maximum contracts anticipated for star guards Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Simmons said prosecutors in Guatemala were integral in securing convictions for Miranda Orozco and others.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The Florida Supreme Court later overturned the conviction due to a conflict of interest with the prosecutor and ordered a new trial.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Belief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belief. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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