Entry Word: believe

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to regard as right or true <the teacher believed the studentʼs explanation that the assignment was late because she was sick, even though she didn't bring in a note from the doctor>

Synonyms accept, credit, swallow, trust

Related Words account, accredit, understand; assume, presume, suppose; conclude, deduce, infer

Phrases set store by (or on)

Near Antonyms distrust, doubt, mistrust, question, suspect; challenge, dispute

Antonyms disbelieve, discredit, reject

2 to have as an opinion <he believed that his favorite tennis player was the best in the world>

Synonyms consider, deem, feel, figure, guess, hold, imagine, reckon [chiefly dialect], suppose, think

Related Words esteem, regard, view; accept, conceive, perceive; depend, rely, trust; assume, presume, presuppose; conclude, deduce, infer

Near Antonyms distrust, doubt, mistrust, question, suspect; disbelieve, discredit, reject