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 But a game that gave a Dolphins fan little belief, start to finish, that their team would win. Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026 Our belief is that freelancers should never be asked to work for free. Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2026 What mattered was a sincere belief that enterprise software would be disrupted, if not destroyed, by Anthropic and OpenAI. Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Sep. 2026 The collection The Lucas Museum describes narrative art broadly as visual art that tells stories or communicates the beliefs, values, and myths through which people understand themselves and their societies. Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for belief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belief
Noun
  • That includes investment-grade corporate bonds, which have attractive yields and relatively strong credit fundamentals, Alvarado said.
    Michelle Fox, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Douthat is the only newcomer added to the opening credits where the correspondents introduce themselves on camera.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • There has been a widespread opinion that football has become too rigid and regimented in recent seasons, but Luis Enrique’s PSG are one of the few antidotes to that.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • No one, in my opinion, comes close to this selfish, foul-mouthed and stupid showman.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Muslim leaders and community members, in turn, told the USA TODAY Network they’re left fighting to defend their faith and warning the nation that its founding principles are at stake.
    BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Most people don’t have a lot of faith in the 2026 Miami Dolphins.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • This is classic game theory that calls to mind the chilling 1950s debates over second strikes and counterforce.
    Andy Browne, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Detailed in the script, Carrie crushes the spewing water pipes with her mind, but the folks manning the on-and-off switches aren’t yet in sync.
    Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The question fascinated David Hilbert, a renowned mathematician who had devoted much of his life to rebuilding physics on a sturdy foundation of crisp axioms.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Yes, the Greeks made remarkable advances in mathematics, but mostly in geometry, which is about solid, stable objects and uses a strict hierarchy of axioms, rules, and procedures—very Platonic.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • These are the young players who, in my view, will be a blast to keep an eye on, root for and talk about with your friends in the seasons ahead.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • So, the app is best suited for retirees looking for detailed insights, rather than a high-level view of their finances.
    Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • And while borrowers may be hoping for a reprieve, there isn't much certainty about where borrowing costs go from here.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Clear regulation can provide organizations with greater certainty about responsible adoption.
    Ekramy El Zaghat, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Judge Anne Hwang determined his prior murder conviction no longer applied as a felony under a landmark 2016 change in California law that barred prosecutors from trying juveniles as adults without a judge’s approval.
    James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The perpetrator has no convictions in North Carolina, but SLF is blaming Cooper.
    Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Belief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belief. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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