1
as in misrepresenting
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 refuting
to prove to be false
the latest information belies the old theory
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obscuring
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 belying
Then Danielle and Michèle dance, with a casual tenderness belying how charged the moment is for Michèle.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
Inside, its luxurious custom leather seats and carbon fiber trim transform the Shelby into a quality cabin belying its F-150 roots.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
On an unremarkable clay tennis court in the Spanish city of Alicante, watched on by only a handful of spectators, two teenagers swipe the ball to one another with surprising vigor, belying their scrawny, adolescent frames.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2025
Henry communicates the weight of Ray’s past with a flicker in his gaze and a shadow that falls over his face, belying the easy confidence established by the character’s introduction.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2025
Adem Zorgane has long been a statistical anomaly in Belgian football, his incredible passing numbers belying his position at the heart of a distinctly mid-table side.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2025
Inside, its luxurious custom leather seats and carbon fiber trim transform the Shelby into a quality cabin belying its F-150 roots.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
On an unremarkable clay tennis court in the Spanish city of Alicante, watched on by only a handful of spectators, two teenagers swipe the ball to one another with surprising vigor, belying their scrawny, adolescent frames.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2025
Henry communicates the weight of Ray’s past with a flicker in his gaze and a shadow that falls over his face, belying the easy confidence established by the character’s introduction.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2025
Adem Zorgane has long been a statistical anomaly in Belgian football, his incredible passing numbers belying his position at the heart of a distinctly mid-table side.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belying
Verb
-
In response, some on the right charged that the Times and its allies in academia were negatively misrepresenting American history.—
Jonathan Zimmerman,
The Atlantic,
23 Dec. 2025
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In November 2023, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin began investigating First Choice Women’s Resource Center to see whether the nonprofit had violated state consumer fraud laws by misrepresenting its services to clients, donors and the public.—
Carly Thomsen,
The Conversation,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
However, an insider close to Nicola is refuting that account.—
Gillian Telling,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
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According to the Department of Industrial Relations, the violations were issued without proper internal documentation, failed to consider materials previously submitted by the company refuting the violations, and should not have been sent.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This International Dark Sky Park, located in southwest Texas, is about a six-hour drive from San Antonio, the nearest city, so there won't be much light pollution obscuring your views of the constellations.—
Elizabeth Rhodes,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
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Yet this focus on the moment of capture risks obscuring the more consequential lesson.—
Cristina Guevara,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Low was fined $106,000 for concealing payments between his tech nonprofit and actor Alec Baldwin.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
11 Jan. 2026
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You're required to disclose all assets, income sources and recent financial transactions during the bankruptcy process, and attempting to transfer property to friends or family before filing, concealing income or lying on your bankruptcy petition can have big repercussions.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Oral arguments in November went badly for the administration, and prediction markets currently put 70% odds on the Supreme Court overturning the tariffs.—
Shelly Banjo,
semafor.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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Donald filed for an appeal in February 1997, and a court heard his pleas in 2015 before overturning his convictions.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Right now, the overstock outlet is hiding miracle-working gardening tools, like this $4 gardening hoe and a $7 weed puller.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Jan. 2026
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Even the front door had been hiding back there for who knows how long, just waiting to be salvaged.—
Gina Mayfield,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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First District Legislator Manny Abarca is sponsoring a piece of legislation calling for law enforcement officers in Jackson County — including federal immigration officers — to be prohibited from covering their faces or badges while on the job.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
13 Jan. 2026
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Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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No sleek wood box disguising it.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
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Orphaned as a teenager in an impoverished fishing village in Kent, Ishmaelle takes to the seas, disguising herself as a boy to do so.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Belying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belying. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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