disbelieve

verb

dis·​be·​lieve ˌdis-bə-ˈlēv 

disbelieved; disbelieving; disbelieves

transitive verb

: to hold not worthy of belief : not believe

intransitive verb

: to withhold or reject belief

disbeliever noun

Synonyms

• deny

Examples of disbelieve in a Sentence

Several jurors disbelieved the witness's testimony.

many disbelieved the medium's claims that she could communicate with the spirits of the dead

Recent Examples on the Web

At the busy corner of Seventh and Wabasha streets, disbelieving St. Paulites jostled for copies. —Nick Woltman, Twin Cities, 15 Aug. 2025

Those who disbelieve Smollett’s story see him as having exploited a fraught political moment for his own gain. —Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 13 Aug. 2025

After launching an investigation, the Assemblies of God revoked Stewart’s credentials and dismissed several other Chi Alpha ministers, including Jackson, who had disbelieved Salgado. —Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 4 Aug. 2025

As a point of contention for some who disbelieve the official suicide conclusion, Epstein died suddenly in custody in New York before his trial could begin. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 29 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1644, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for disbelieve

• interweave
• undeceive
• achieve
• believe
• conceive
• deceive
• naive
• perceive
• receive
• relieve
• reprieve
• retrieve

Kids Definition

disbelieve

verb

dis·​be·​lieve ˌdis-bə-ˈlēv 

: to think not to be true or real : fail to believe

disbelieved the witness's testimony

disbeliever noun