1
as in to misrepresent
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 to refute
to prove to be false
the latest information belies the old theory
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to conceal
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 belie
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
The whole situation belies a reality that even North Point’s general manager believes.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 17 Apr. 2026
His youthful looks belie his toughness.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for belie
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
The whole situation belies a reality that even North Point’s general manager believes.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 17 Apr. 2026
His youthful looks belie his toughness.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for belie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belie
Verb
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The authors, not content to simply defend their viewpoint, misrepresent our organization’s positions on the range of harms that children in DCFS custody experience.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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California’s consumer protection and false advertising laws also forbid misrepresenting goods or services.—
Christopher Elliott,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Even after Charles delivered an address to Congress that implicitly refuted some core tenets of Trumpism—there was an ode to limits on executive power, a defense of NATO and Ukraine, a rousing call to protect the natural world—Trump raved about it ahead of the state dinner that night.—
Aidan McLaughlin,
Vanity Fair,
30 Apr. 2026
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The Department of Homeland Security has refuted claims of inhumane treatment.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The indictment follows a probe by House Republicans into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic that scrutinized Morens’ email communications and accused him of intentionally concealing records.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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Police found the device concealed in the vehicle’s wheel well before the investigation was turned over to the department’s Detective Bureau, Podgorski said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But what exactly happens to these baby stars next isn't always clear (literally) because they are buried deep within clouds of dark, dusty gas that obscure them.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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All of that mythology, though, can obscure the real story.—
Jimmy Jellinek,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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To add order, cabinets hide toys, there’s a small desk for homework, and East London Cloth café curtains filter the light.—
Katherine Burns Olson,
Architectural Digest,
1 May 2026
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The Harrison County Health Department notes dark clothing resembles the shadows mosquitoes hide in.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Belie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belie. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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