1
as in misrepresented
to give a misleading impression of
his bright smile belied his actual mood, which was really one of great sadness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in refuted
to prove to be false
the latest information belies the old theory
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obscured
to keep secret or shut off from view
the security council issued false assurances that belied the true gravity of the situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of belied
The Senate voted unanimously in favor of the budget and the House voted 99-6 for the plan, but the vast support for the measure belied the tense process to produce it.
—
Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
Further, what remains unclear is FIFA’s plan on how to spend the extra billions of revenue, with its stated goal to support positive social change belied by a track record of corruption and lack of transparency.
—Richard Sheehan, Fortune, 25 May 2026
That the captive invested in life insurance also belied a nontax purpose.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
These majestic birds, adapted perfectly to their environment, moved with a grace that belied their size.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2026
Although the Marshallese players were mostly stone-faced, their eyes—briefly flitting over to the crowd and the many cameras that followed them onto the field—belied both their excitement and anxiety at the gravity of the moment.
—Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 21 Apr. 2026
Burrows failed to complete five innings for the first time this season, a result that belied the tenor of most of his outing.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 19 Apr. 2026
Alas, their appearance may have belied their skills given that their record was not great — just four wins and 13 losses under the leadership of coach John Harshbarger.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
His impact belied his 6-of-24 shooting that included a 2-for-10 3-point performance.
—Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
Further, what remains unclear is FIFA’s plan on how to spend the extra billions of revenue, with its stated goal to support positive social change belied by a track record of corruption and lack of transparency.
—Richard Sheehan, Fortune, 25 May 2026
That the captive invested in life insurance also belied a nontax purpose.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
These majestic birds, adapted perfectly to their environment, moved with a grace that belied their size.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2026
Although the Marshallese players were mostly stone-faced, their eyes—briefly flitting over to the crowd and the many cameras that followed them onto the field—belied both their excitement and anxiety at the gravity of the moment.
—Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 21 Apr. 2026
Burrows failed to complete five innings for the first time this season, a result that belied the tenor of most of his outing.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 19 Apr. 2026
Alas, their appearance may have belied their skills given that their record was not great — just four wins and 13 losses under the leadership of coach John Harshbarger.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
His impact belied his 6-of-24 shooting that included a 2-for-10 3-point performance.
—Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belied
Verb
-
The suits filed allege Good Samaritan misrepresented the risk of flooding to new or prospective residents and each seeks thousands in damages.—
Natalia Jaramillo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 May 2026
-
Researchers and athletes both say that the public conversation has outpaced — and frequently misrepresented — the science, leaving athletes such as Browne to carry the weight of a question far more complex than a hot take.—
Starre Vartan,
CNN Money,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Bohm’s parents have refuted those claims and the two sides are still attempting to determine where the court battle will proceed.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
However, Braun refuted those allegations.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The fields and farmlands behind the house, as far as the eye could see, were obscured entirely.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
-
This was done the day before weather predictions called for overcast conditions with the sun obscured.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Investigators found that Aliji intended to drive a Volkswagen Beetle equipped with fake police sirens and flashing blue lights toward crowds outside the venue before detonating explosives concealed inside a Red Bull can.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
-
Throughout the exhibition, repaired ceramic objects reference the Japanese practice of kintsugi, where cracks are repaired with gold rather than concealed.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
At the time, the medication was covered by her health insurance.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
-
The changes to reviews for children's care will apply to people who are covered by UnitedHealthcare's private insurance and Medicaid, the federal-state health care program for low income families and some with disabilities.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
People were craving the culture and art that had been suppressed during his oppressive reign.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
27 May 2026
-
The Supreme Court spent much of the January oral arguments grappling with the biological advantage men tend to have over women in sports, and whether there is validity to claims that a man’s biological advantage can be suppressed by hormone drugs.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
The Sweed Le Lipstick is basically skincare disguised as makeup.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
Hansen and his Dateline NBC crew made gladiatorial reality TV disguised as public service.—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Belied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belied. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
