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

Winifred Jones was at the event receiving a new hearing aid and was in disbelief. —Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025

On last week's episode of The Kardashians, the All's Fair star reflected on the disbelief and even scorn her 2016 robbery in a Paris hotel room courted in some corners. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Dec. 2025

All these young punks and musical savants appearing under the repressive atmosphere of the academy may require some suspension of disbelief (as does Lilisa’s gravity-defying hair). —Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025

In a post on her Instagram Story, the Grammy winner echoed those feelings of disbelief. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 8 Dec. 2025

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