believed; believing
1
a
: to consider to be true or honest
believe the reports
you wouldn't believe how long it took
b
: to accept the word or evidence of
I believe you
couldn't believe my ears
2
: to hold as an opinion : suppose
I believe it will rain soon
1
a
: to accept something as true, genuine, or real
ideals we believe in
believes in ghosts
b
: to have a firm or wholehearted religious conviction or persuasion : to regard the existence of God as a fact
Do you believe?
—usually used with inbelieve in the Scriptures
2
: to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something
believe in exercise
3
: to hold an opinion : think
I believe so
believer
noun
Examples of believe in a Sentence
I have watched the many ways that teachers demonstrate pleasure in what students have said or done. I used to believe that teachers needed to present a stoic face for fear of losing control—as if smiling caused bad behavior.
—
Nancy Mack, English Journal, September 2008
Scientists kept a close eye on Mount Saint Helens. The volcano in Washington State spewed steam and ash throughout the month, leading experts to believe that it could erupt at any time.
—Time For Kids, 17 Dec. 2004
They parted as casually as any friends who believe they will meet in a few days. But each knew the other was in deadly peril of his life.
—Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain, 1943
The scientists believed the reports.
Many people seem to believe that theory, but I find it hard to believe.
You shouldn't believe everything you read.
He says he'll help us, but I don't believe what he says.
They were tricked into believing that he was a doctor.
He says he'll help us, but I don't believe him.
She went to church because her family expected it, but she didn't really believe.
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Nancy Mack, English Journal, September 2008
Scientists kept a close eye on Mount Saint Helens. The volcano in Washington State spewed steam and ash throughout the month, leading experts to believe that it could erupt at any time.
—Time For Kids, 17 Dec. 2004
They parted as casually as any friends who believe they will meet in a few days. But each knew the other was in deadly peril of his life.
—Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain, 1943
The scientists believed the reports.
Many people seem to believe that theory, but I find it hard to believe.
You shouldn't believe everything you read.
He says he'll help us, but I don't believe what he says.
They were tricked into believing that he was a doctor.
He says he'll help us, but I don't believe him.
She went to church because her family expected it, but she didn't really believe.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Five Pro Bowls, two first-team All-Pro designations and many more accolades have many believing Mahomes is pegged for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 19 Sep. 2023
The fentanyl is believed to have sickened four children, including Dominici, who died Friday afternoon.
—Jake Offenhartz, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Sep. 2023
It is believed to be the first new construction in the neighborhood since the first and only phase of the Greyton Court townhouses around 2002.
—Thomas Jewell, cleveland, 19 Sep. 2023
The English singer-songwriter and actress also takes her artistry seriously and believes her astrological sign informed her work ethic behind her 2022 Caprisongs mixtape.
—Andrea Wurzburger, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023
The group is believed to have around 3,000 fighters and has recently been active in southwest Colombia, as well as in the provinces of Arauca and North Santander, on the nation’s eastern border with Venezuela.
—Manuel Rueda, ajc, 19 Sep. 2023
Li is believed to be a protege of General Zhang Youxia, Xi’s childhood friend and closest ally in the military.
—Nectar Gan, CNN, 19 Sep. 2023
The missile, experts believe, was launched at about 2 p.m. from Druzhkivka, which is about 10 miles northwest of Kostiantynivka.
—Mike Brest, Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2023
By the time Bleacher Report launches, Max’s entertainment offerings will be flanked with news and sports options, a move Perrette believes will keep subscribers watching the site longer and spark a new flow of revenue.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 Sep. 2023
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Scott Thompson, Fox News, 19 Sep. 2023
The fentanyl is believed to have sickened four children, including Dominici, who died Friday afternoon.
—Jake Offenhartz, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Sep. 2023
It is believed to be the first new construction in the neighborhood since the first and only phase of the Greyton Court townhouses around 2002.
—Thomas Jewell, cleveland, 19 Sep. 2023
The English singer-songwriter and actress also takes her artistry seriously and believes her astrological sign informed her work ethic behind her 2022 Caprisongs mixtape.
—Andrea Wurzburger, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2023
The group is believed to have around 3,000 fighters and has recently been active in southwest Colombia, as well as in the provinces of Arauca and North Santander, on the nation’s eastern border with Venezuela.
—Manuel Rueda, ajc, 19 Sep. 2023
Li is believed to be a protege of General Zhang Youxia, Xi’s childhood friend and closest ally in the military.
—Nectar Gan, CNN, 19 Sep. 2023
The missile, experts believe, was launched at about 2 p.m. from Druzhkivka, which is about 10 miles northwest of Kostiantynivka.
—Mike Brest, Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2023
By the time Bleacher Report launches, Max’s entertainment offerings will be flanked with news and sports options, a move Perrette believes will keep subscribers watching the site longer and spark a new flow of revenue.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'believe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English beleven, from Old English belēfan, from be- + lȳfan, lēfan to allow, believe; akin to Old High German gilouben to believe, Old English lēof dear — more at love
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1b
Time Traveler
The first known use of believe was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing believe
Dictionary Entries Near believe
Cite this Entry
“Believe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/believe. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
believe
verb
be·lieve
bə-ˈlēv 
believed; believing
1
: to have a firm religious faith
2
: to have faith or confidence in the existence or worth of
believe in ghosts
believe in regular exercise
3
: to accept as true
believe the reports
4
: to accept the word or evidence of
they believed us
I could hardly believe my ears
5
: to hold as an opinion : think
believe it will rain
believable
adjective
-ˈlē-və-bəl
believably
adverb
-blē
believer
noun
Legal Definition
believe
transitive verb
be·lieve
believed; believing
: to consider to be true or honest
More from Merriam-Webster on believe
Nglish: Translation of believe for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of believe for Arabic Speakers
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