Definition of disbeliefnext
as in skepticism
refusal to accept something as true their story explaining their absence was met with frank disbelief

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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 disbelief Under the post, various friends expressed excitement, disbelief and support for Kobrya’s win. Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026 When the guilty verdict was announced, Dale Warner stared at the floor and shook his head in apparent disbelief, reported The Daily Telegram, part of the USA TODAY Network. Corey J. Murray, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026 The wig, too, was similarly in disbelief — shocked to the point of losing consciousness and drifting away into the wind. Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026 Understandably, the travelling Tottenham support stood motionless in the top tier above the Spurs goal, in complete disbelief in how Spurs had collapsed so disastrously, all entirely of their own doing. Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disbelief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disbelief
Noun
  • Student skepticism is being driven in part by faculty salaries within the academic affairs budget decreasing and the unknowns of new football stadium costs and financing.
    Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Rosa, another woman from Matanzas who arrived in Homestead two and a half years ago and asked to be identified only by her first name due to concerns for her family in Cuba, expressed skepticism about the prospects for meaningful change in Cuba.
    Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The uncertainty comes on top of doubts already surrounding India’s more than $120 million investment in the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Iran’s Chabahar Port.
    Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
  • There were some doubts about the RedHawks earning an at-large NCAA Tournament berth.
    Joe Reedy, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The other parents joined them, one or two echoing the incredulity, a mixture of fake consternation, mild indignation, and real pride.
    Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Speaking to The Athletic at a yacht racing conference in Amsterdam in November, Bruno Dubois voiced his incredulity at the sums being spent by top teams on securing the best talent.
    Andrew Rice, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Non-Muslims crossed a threshold and found warmth instead of suspicion.
    Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 8 Mar. 2026
  • When he was recently arrested for suspicion of misconduct in public office, King Charles released a statement saying the investigation must take its course.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • My own passage into and back out of unbelief—one marked by a close reading of works that earlier illiberal societies had attempted to suppress on religious grounds—has strengthened my liberal commitments.
    Christopher Beha, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
  • But the indirect benefits seem to reflect a posture against green energy, related to unbelief in climate change, and these lead to support for inefficient energy alternatives like nuclear and geothermal and gas-fired turbines.
    Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

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“Disbelief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disbelief. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.

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