as in skeptical
inclined to doubt or question claims
the senator stated her case before a disbelieving press corps
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in denying
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disbelieving
Vin Diesel,
Variety,
16 May 2026
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
The higher-ups are disbelieving, but Alex points out that the network has a fancy new AI that can replicate her voice in a zillion languages.
—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
24 Sep. 2025
Pearl, Dale’s adult daughter, vacillates between disbelieving that her father committed suicide and blaming her mother for it.
—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
That same disbelieving fullness.
—
Vin Diesel,
Variety,
16 May 2026
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
The higher-ups are disbelieving, but Alex points out that the network has a fancy new AI that can replicate her voice in a zillion languages.
—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
24 Sep. 2025
Pearl, Dale’s adult daughter, vacillates between disbelieving that her father committed suicide and blaming her mother for it.
—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disbelieving
Adjective
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When Axsome went public in 2015, Wall Street was skeptical and the company’s stock puttered along under $10 for years.
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Contrary to what the public has been led to believe, America’s Founding Fathers were skeptical and anxious about democracy.
Verb
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But there’s no denying McIlroy was looking sleek with his Masters jacket, which was accompanied by a white shirt and green tie to match.
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Responsible leadership means proactively preparing the enterprise workforce for this imminent organizational down-sizing and structural workplace transition rather than denying its clear historical inevitability.
Adjective
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Large-scale events involve tabletop exercises with law enforcement, fire departments, emergency managers and venue officials running through countless scenarios — evacuations, suspicious packages, drones and crowd surges.
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Residents who witness suspicious activity can contact non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 or call 911 when appropriate.
Verb
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And without doubting the ongoing popularity of Toy Story and its sequels, the group most likely to look with special fondness upon Sheriff Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the like are those who saw the first movie 31 years ago — once again, the parents.
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All of those Republicans are seriously doubting the president here, Senator Graham.
Adjective
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One day, the elusive Seth meets the equally alluring but totally living doctor Maggie (Meg Ryan), who is suspicious and unbelieving of the mystical wonders of this world.
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As punishment, God confines them to the desert for 40 years, until the unbelieving generation ...
Adjective
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On several occasions throughout the game, Lakers players were incredulous after calls – or non-calls – from the crew.
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On several occasions, Lakers players were incredulous after calls — or no-calls — from the crew.
Adjective
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Berkeley adopted a more cautious approach.
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The data also points to a more cautious approach to automation than much of the AI industry’s messaging might suggest.
Cite this Entry
“Disbelieving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disbelieving. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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