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.
Squeamish about facing up to disbelieving judges and protesting advocacy organizations, European leaders have dodged their obligations. Jytte Klausen, Foreign Affairs, 16 Nov. 2015 For many women, and for Black women in particular, whose pain is systemically disbelieved and dismissed, childbirth in America is regularly life threatening and too often fatal. Krista Vernoff, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2024 For a Black woman, being disbelieved so publicly by a white woman politician was an extra layer of fury. Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 3 Oct. 2024 When said organization murders her disbelieving friend Jack (John Bradley), Jin turns to their destruction, joining the British government and other international bodies on endeavors to stop the San-Ti. Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near disbelieve

Cite this Entry

“Disbelieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disbelieve. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

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
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