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
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Recent Examples of belied
But her résumé and her plainclothes appearance belied a past that was anything but ordinary.
—
Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026
The Noongar Wongi rapper from Boorloo (Perth), still a teenager, delivered a full-band take on the 2003 conscious hip-hop classic, leaning into its themes of global division and compassion with a confidence that belied his age.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2026
But Buffon protested that a system of tidy categories based upon a single criterion belied the lush and jumbled profusion of nature.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
While the number of events at the San Jose McEneny Convention Center and adjacent East Hall has been climbing since the 2021-22 fiscal year, from 38 to 58 last year, the booming attendance at Nvidia’s gathering belied a struggling recovery with a long way to go before returning to pre-COVID levels.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
But such a hope was belied by the developments after the cold war ended as civil wars ensued in many parts of the world.
—Debidatta A. Mahapatra, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Holtz’s place-kicker frame belied a personality that was middle linebacker.
—Mac Engel
march 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026
The Clifton facility belied these claims.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The latter belied Altuve’s efforts.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 14 Feb. 2026
Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026
The Noongar Wongi rapper from Boorloo (Perth), still a teenager, delivered a full-band take on the 2003 conscious hip-hop classic, leaning into its themes of global division and compassion with a confidence that belied his age.
—Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2026
But Buffon protested that a system of tidy categories based upon a single criterion belied the lush and jumbled profusion of nature.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
While the number of events at the San Jose McEneny Convention Center and adjacent East Hall has been climbing since the 2021-22 fiscal year, from 38 to 58 last year, the booming attendance at Nvidia’s gathering belied a struggling recovery with a long way to go before returning to pre-COVID levels.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
But such a hope was belied by the developments after the cold war ended as civil wars ensued in many parts of the world.
—Debidatta A. Mahapatra, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Holtz’s place-kicker frame belied a personality that was middle linebacker.
—Mac Engel
march 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026
The Clifton facility belied these claims.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The latter belied Altuve’s efforts.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belied
Verb
-
Lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party said Cheng has misrepresented Taiwanese public opinion in her trip to China and accused the KMT of undermining national security.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
-
New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and national NFL reporter Dianna Russini downplayed the significance of photos taken of the two together at a resort in Sedona, Arizona last month, saying they were misrepresented.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
However, OpenAI spokeswoman Kate Waters refuted the idea that ChatGPT should be criminally liable for how people use the platform on Tuesday.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Hours after the Royals’ loss on Saturday, Perez refuted Quatraro’s reason for the day off.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The lead truck attempted to contact the tower 40 seconds after the plane was given clearance to ask to cross the runway, but a simultaneous transmission obscured the call.—
Doha Madani,
NBC news,
23 Apr. 2026
-
For some, the implications of duplicity and obscured identity in the line could well apply to its author—and thereby hangs a tale.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In June 2025, Ukraine’s security services launched a massive drone attack against Russian air assets using drones concealed in trucks, reportedly damaging more than 40 planes.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
-
As a result, the plaintiffs alleged that Capital One deceptively marketed the 360 Savings account and concealed interest rate disparities.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Its façade was covered with white tiles that gleamed in the morning light.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
These offsets have allowed Congress to pass larger highway bills even though the HTF has covered a smaller part of the Surface Transportation Program annually.—
Andrew Stasiowski,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Earlier, Britain suppressed a communist insurgency in Malaya, today part of Malaysia.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The lawyer noted the statement could be suppressed in court if it was obtained through leading questions, a prolonged interrogation, or coercive tactics.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Prosecutors say the gunman, disguised as a police officer, began his rampage by shooting Hoffman and his wife, then stopped at the residences of two other lawmakers who weren't home.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
That’s habit disguised as taste.—
Maryam Ahmed,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Belied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belied. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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