Definition of beliefnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word belief different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of belief are credence, credit, and faith. While all these words mean "assent to the truth of something offered for acceptance," belief may or may not imply certitude in the believer.

my belief that I had caught all the errors

When is credence a more appropriate choice than belief?

While in some cases nearly identical to belief, credence suggests intellectual assent without implying anything about grounds for assent.

a theory now given credence by scientists

When can credit be used instead of belief?

Although the words credit and belief have much in common, credit may imply assent on grounds other than direct proof.

gave full credit to the statement of a reputable witness

In what contexts can faith take the place of belief?

While the synonyms faith and belief are close in meaning, faith almost always implies certitude even where there is no evidence or proof.

an unshakable faith in God

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 belief Leading a company that helps protect items tied to some of life’s most meaningful moments has reinforced my belief that efficiency and empathy cannot be separated. Scott Murphy, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 Sankey peppered his opening remarks with the league’s stance on Congressional involvement in college football, and his belief that the NIL field is in desperate need of transparency. Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 July 2026 But contrary to widespread belief, the Band didn’t end after The Last Waltz. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 20 July 2026 Performance Means Something Different Today Current was founded on the belief that outdoor cooking should evolve with the way people live today. William Jones, USA Today, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for belief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belief
Noun
  • In general, borrowers with higher credit scores qualify for lower interest rates, while those with lower scores are more likely to be offered higher rates.
    Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 21 July 2026
  • The company is raising $12 billion of debt for a Texas data center to be occupied by Meta — its first deal that puts infrastructure investor GIP and private-credit firm HPS to work in a major way since BlackRock bought them in 2024 and 2025.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 21 July 2026
Noun
  • Partnerships That Last Stapp has seen enough cross-sector partnerships announced with fanfare and wound down within a year to have strong opinions about what separates the two outcomes.
    Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Coaches and personnel staffers spoke on the condition of anonymity to offer their honest opinions on the players.
    Antonio Morales, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Noun
  • Burnham’s faith is significant given the centuries of legislation and convention that effectively prevented Catholics from becoming prime minister.
    Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • Still, Di Novi had a lot of faith in the story from its roots as a novel by Alice Hoffman.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026
Noun
  • Keep in mind, this Sporting team, over a stretch of eight matches in all competitions, was outscored 28-4, losing seven of those contests and drawing one.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
  • Her makeup was on and her wig was in place, but her mind was in meltdown.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Noun
  • But whether that axiom applies to the quadrennial World Cup tournament is a different question.
    John A. Tures, The Conversation, 26 June 2026
  • Furthermore, this equality isn’t just a formal, mathematical axiom.
    New York Times, New York Times, 9 June 2026
Noun
  • From a remote hilltop just north of Nablus, the view stretches across the occupied West Bank.
    Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • Shiny new towers make a statement through their sheer opulence, panoramic views and desirable locations, enticing companies to pay top dollar.
    Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
Noun
  • In the span of three weeks, the Red Sox went from an almost certainty to trade Aroldis Chapman, Sonny Gray and maybe Willson Contreras to now looking like clear buyers.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • Errant thoughts will still arise (the laundry, the email, the certainty that your opening scene is a disaster) but in a mindful state, those thoughts are observable.
    April Dávila, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026
Noun
  • Garcia’s conviction included an enhancement for fleeing after committing a gross vehicular manslaughter and personally using a deadly weapon in the commission of the offense.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
  • An earnings gap that remains open, whether up or down, signals strong conviction behind the move.
    Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 22 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Belief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belief. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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