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

Lampkin’s football story is about suspending disbelief and acknowledging exceptions to prototypes. — Zach Berman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

As Sasha held up the June 2000 birth announcement and her newborn photo, the family could be heard reacting in disbelief to the piece of mail that had taken 26 years to return. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026

His dad, Ben Erickson, had asked in disbelief if his new baby was dying — if Matthew was born dying. — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026

Shortly after, a young man stumbles towards Pat from the direction of the pub, rubbing his eyes in disbelief. — Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

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