Definition of disbeliefnext
as in skepticism
refusal to accept something as true their story explaining their absence was met with frank disbelief

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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 disbelief Seeing people's faces change from confusion to disbelief to smiles (and possibly some relief) provided payback for hauling up those heavy packs. Christa Swanson, CBS News, 22 June 2026 After the crash, Liam remembers waking up in disbelief. David Chiu, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026 Moneybagg Yo shared his disbelief on his Instagram Stories. Christine Imarenezor, VIBE.com, 19 June 2026 The cameras panned to England fans in the stands celebrating wildly but also wearing looks of disbelief, a feeling which only increased when Sheringham made it 4-0 shortly afterwards. The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for disbelief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disbelief
Noun
  • Humans are hardwired to resist change, so implementing new technologies is often met with skepticism or pushback.
    Bill Pappas, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • For decades, African football has faced criticism and skepticism, often based on unfounded racial stereotypes.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie looked like Serie A regulars, Folarin Balogun’s finishing was on song and Gio Reyna put to rest any doubts about his selection by channelling his inner Luka Modric.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • As tech stocks waver on doubts the AI boom will prove sustainable, India is emerging as a safe haven for global investors looking to hedge their bets and weather the volatility, Bloomberg wrote.
    J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 5 July 2026
Noun
  • Hoffman’s mother, when Scheiber later speaks to her, is well acquainted with this flavor of incredulity.
    Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
  • Russell plays the fool wonderfully as Fairchild's suffering boyfriend, reacting to the increasingly bizarre events as most of us would, with incredulity and swearing, and there are some brilliant sight gags sprinkled throughout the film.
    Ian Stokes, Space.com, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • Colonists down south, especially fierce New England Protestants who took a dim view of Catholicism, viewed this act – and their new fellow imperial subjects – with dismay and considerable suspicion.
    Sarah M.S. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
  • So, if a package came to Eunice from the John Smith account, wouldn’t there be some sort of suspicion surrounding the package from a man who is either on the run or, um, dead?
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • My own passage into and back out of unbelief—one marked by a close reading of works that earlier illiberal societies had attempted to suppress on religious grounds—has strengthened my liberal commitments.
    Christopher Beha, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
  • But the indirect benefits seem to reflect a posture against green energy, related to unbelief in climate change, and these lead to support for inefficient energy alternatives like nuclear and geothermal and gas-fired turbines.
    Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

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“Disbelief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disbelief. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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