disbelief

noun

dis·​be·​lief ˌdis-bə-ˈlēf 

: the act of disbelieving : mental rejection of something as untrue

Synonyms

• 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

Palestinians here have expressed disbelief there’s room for hundreds of thousands more. —Josh Holder, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025

The typical domestic thriller demands a certain willing suspension of disbelief. —Judy Berman, Time, 10 Sep. 2025

Shock, anger, sadness, disbelief were words used by multiple senior sources inside the West Wing, ABC News' Katherine Faulders said. —ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025

These photos from around Fort Worth and Tarrrant County captured fear, disbelief and shock — as well as the chaos at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport — but also the faith, resiliency and generosity of North Texans. —Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1672, 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