Synonyms of disbelieve

disbelieve

verb

ˌdis-bə-ˈlēv 

as in to deny

to think not to be true or real

many disbelieved the medium's claims that she could communicate with the spirits of the dead

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deny
• discredit
• doubt
• negate
• refute
• reject
• suspect
• disprove
• distrust
• mistrust
• deride
• repudiate
• debunk
• scoff (at)
• pooh-pooh

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• believe
• accept
• trust
• swallow
• credit

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of disbelieve

When Mom reached Dad on the telephone in the White House pantry to commiserate over the earth-shattering news, Dad’s response was disbelieving. — John Wrory Ficklin, Time, 11 Feb. 2026

When people can see evidence that obviously contradicts what the administration is saying, they’re primed to disbelieve the officials. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026

From Gaza to Minneapolis, we are still being told to disbelieve our eyes. — Literary Hub, 4 Feb. 2026

Epstein’s young victims were also threatened and followed; they were grilled by his lawyers and disbelieved by prosecutors, who at times treated them like prostitutes, instead of victims. — Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025