believed

verb

past tense of believe
1
as in accepted
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 thought
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 believed Even those believed to be on the guest list appear to know very little. — Bryan West, USA Today, 1 July 2026 He is believed to be in hiding after reportedly being wounded in the airstrike that killed his father. — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026 He is believed to be in hiding after reportedly being wounded in the airstrike that killed his father. — Arkansas Online, 7 July 2026 He is believed to be part of the group’s inner circle, German and Chinese state media reported. — ABC News, 8 July 2026 These large studies have also shown that the symptoms caused by pathogenic mutations are commonly milder than doctors had believed. — Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026 An event was scheduled at the time, and the shooting is believed to involve attendees who knew each other, CMPD said. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026 Instead, Taelor’s customer feedback validated what the company already believed about its brand. — Angela Chan-Danisi, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 The bestselling author’s 16th book in the series sees Court Gentry, who is believed to be the last surviving member of his family, spotting his late brother at their father’s funeral. — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for believed
  1. accepted
  2. thought
  3. understood
  4. considered
  5. took
  6. guessed
  7. figured
  8. imagined
Verb
  • On Friday, Pope Leo formally accepted the Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center, a non-partisan non-profit located across from Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed.
    — Danny Freeman, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
  • Reuters Calling on America to recommit itself to its founding principles of unity and peace at home and abroad, Pope Leo XIV accepted the Liberty Medal on Friday during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
    — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of accepted
Verb
  • Indeed, in the high temperatures of the solar corona it had been thought that dust could not survive for very long and would therefore have no impact.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 7 July 2026
  • Thankfully, Williams’ jovial remarks marked the last time anyone mentioned or even thought about 2026.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 7 July 2026
Definition of thought
Verb
  • It isn't completely understood how ibogaine works, but scientists know ibogaine affects the brain’s reward and pleasure system.
    — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Security is now understood as a personal risk structure, not merely a job title.
    — Henrik Totterman, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of understood
Verb
  • In fact, the idea of splitting atoms for propulsion and power was being seriously considered almost as soon as the first atomic explosions were made public.
    — David Szondy July 07, New Atlas, 8 July 2026
  • In 2023, California regulators levied more than $100,000 in fines against the private operator of a federal immigration facility, kicking off a three-year battle over whether detainees who do work at the facilities should be considered employees.
    — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of considered
Verb
  • Miami Fire Rescue paramedics took the man, thought to be in his early 30s, to Jackson Memorial Hospital, Fallat said.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 5 July 2026
  • In early June, Johnson met with workers who support the ILA and took a photo with them.
    — Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of took
Verb
  • Whether July 3 brings wedding photos, business news, both or nothing the internet has correctly guessed, Swift’s history explains why fans are leaving room for another reveal.
    — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 2 July 2026
  • Those who keep postponing the conversation risk leaving their heirs not a fortune but a locked archive whose contents can only be guessed at.
    — Sergey Stopnevich, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of guessed
Verb
  • At 32 years old, Jessica Pegula has figured something out about playing on grass, tennis’s most specialized surface that happens to host its most important Grand Slam.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 5 July 2026
  • Terry Black’s Barbecue, a small Texas chain, figured authentic barbecue would be on many fans’ must-try lists.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Definition of figured
Verb
  • The tools now entering those classrooms are more powerful and far less accountable than anyone writing that legislation could have imagined.
    — Masha Pearl, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026
  • The men who signed that document could not have imagined artificial intelligence, quantum computing or cyberspace.
    — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of imagined

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believe
believed
believer
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Cite this Entry

“Believed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/believed. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of believed for Spanish Speakers

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