believe

verb

bə-ˈlēv How to pronounce believe (audio)
Definition of believenext
1
as in to accept
to regard as right or true only the most naive car buyer would have believed the salesman's claim that the dealership was actually losing money on the deal

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to think
to have as an opinion despite the horrors she witnessed and endured, Anne Frank steadfastly believed that "people are really good at heart"

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 believe One man was injured Monday afternoon during what investigators believe to be a road rage incident in Raytown. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2026 Although the risks and benefits are contingent on future policies, some economists believe there isn’t sufficient evidence that AI will lead to a net loss of jobs. — Victoria Baeza Garcia, The Washington Examiner, 13 July 2026 The body of the pilot, believed to have been the only person on board, was recovered from the reservoir later Sunday night by the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office dive team, the Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. — The Denver Post, Denver Post, 13 July 2026 This is only your second Emmy nomination, which is hard to believe. — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for believe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for believe
  1. accept
  2. think
  3. understand
  4. guess
  5. take
  6. imagine
  7. trust
  8. consider
Verb
  • That establishment Democrats didn’t accept him made his candidacy even more appealing.
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
  • Guild will accept applicants with credit scores as low as 540, whereas many lenders require a credit score of 620 or higher.
    — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 15 July 2026
Definition of accept
Verb
  • The Dodgers initially thought Ohtani would drain the knee on Sunday.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • In their report, the authors posit that the image, which until now had been thought to represent a warrior with a spear, is in fact a painting of Juun Ajaw, a central figure in Maya mythology best known from the Mayan sacred text the Popol Voh.
    — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of think
Verb
  • As with consideration of any new medication, understanding implications, both good and bad, short-term and long-term, need to be fully discussed with any patient and treating physician.
    — Nina Shapiro, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • It’s been understood for years that America’s adversaries and allies alike take a keen interest in how this country practices an imperfect democracy.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 17 July 2026
Definition of understand
Verb
  • The series made approximately half its potential audience (guess which half) feel insane.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
  • Instead, Northstar also leans on positive signals, such as verifying when a message genuinely comes from a legitimate sender such as a bank or a retailer, so users aren’t left guessing whether a note purporting to be from Amazon is real.
    — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 13 July 2026
Definition of guess
Verb
  • Asking for help is a sign of strength, and taking that first step can put you on the path to feeling better.
    — Barton Goldsmith, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
  • Medically assisted suicide generally involves a patient voluntarily taking lethal medication prescribed by a doctor.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 July 2026
Definition of take
Verb
  • Whether real or imagined, the stigma is there, making this particular crisis one that Taco Bell needs to address in full force.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • What comes next is going to be strange and, at times, controversial (imagine animal studies in this coming era).
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of imagine
Verb
  • An emotional buildup isn’t new for them, but the clarity with which its alt-rock grandiosity is captured is—a result of trusting producer Alex Farrar, at Asheville’s Drop of Sun Studio, for the first time.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 15 July 2026
  • The dog must trust the handler enough to move across unstable ground, and through noise, dust, rain, and crowds.
    — Tibisay Zea, Christian Science Monitor, 15 July 2026
Definition of trust
Verb
  • Called the Georgia Power 100, these players are chosen primarily on their high school production track record, though college potential is considered.
    — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
  • On the other side, Bedard at one point considered an even shorter deal to maximize his earning potential.
    — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of consider

Phrases Containing believe

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believably
believe
believed
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Cite this Entry

“Believe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/believe. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of believe for Spanish Speakers

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