disbelieve

verb

dis·​be·​lieve ˌdis-bə-ˈlēv How to pronounce disbelieve (audio)
disbelieved; disbelieving; disbelieves

transitive verb

: to hold not worthy of belief : not believe

intransitive verb

: to withhold or reject belief
disbeliever noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Over the last few years, Monfils has thrilled crowds pretty much wherever he’s been, drawing awestruck reactions from people disbelieving at how someone in their mid- and now late 30s can be producing such spellbinding tennis. James Hansen, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025 The higher-ups are disbelieving, but Alex points out that the network has a fancy new AI that can replicate her voice in a zillion languages. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025 Pearl, Dale’s adult daughter, vacillates between disbelieving that her father committed suicide and blaming her mother for it. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025 And so this loss of voice is her body’s way of protecting her from the double trauma of having her family disbelieve her. Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disbelieve

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1644, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of disbelieve was circa 1644

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disbelieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disbelieve. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

disbelieve

verb
dis·​be·​lieve ˌdis-bə-ˈlēv How to pronounce disbelieve (audio)
: to think not to be true or real : fail to believe
disbelieved the witness's testimony
disbeliever noun

More from Merriam-Webster on disbelieve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!