disbelieving 1 of 2

adjective

as in skeptical
inclined to doubt or question claims the senator stated her case before a disbelieving press corps

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

disbelieving

2 of 2

verb

present participle of disbelieve
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

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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 disbelieving
Adjective
During one scene, Scherrman appears for a few seconds as the catcher in a game interrupted by Timothy Busfield, the disbelieving brother-in-law of Kevin Costner's character Ray Kinsella. — CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 During one scene, Scherrman appears for a few seconds as the catcher in a game interrupted by Timothy Busfield, the disbelieving brother-in-law of Kevin Costner’s character Ray Kinsella. — Dave Campbell, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 Muchová went up 3-1 early with a crouching forehand volley that just plopped inside the court, prompting applause from Gauff and a disbelieving shake of the head from Muchová. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 9 July 2026
Verb
There are shirts being whirled all around me as disbelieving fans soak in the celebrations with their squad. — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 15 July 2026 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
  1. skeptical
  2. denying
  3. suspicious
  4. doubting
  5. unbelieving
  6. incredulous
  7. cautious
Adjective
  • The tie-up should help some skeptical investors grow more confident that Salesforce — thanks to troves of proprietary customer data housed within its applications — has a role to play in this new AI world.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Price likened his attraction to the format to his early embrace of streaming entertainment back in the days when Hollywood remained skeptical of its staying power.
    — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of skeptical
Verb
  • The first case was settled out of court, with the artist denying allegations and claiming fair use through her legal representative.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The drone in question was powered by a Nvidia minicomputer not sold in Russia but available through resale markets, highlighting the difficulties in denying tech to US adversaries.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of denying
Adjective
  • Luke Halls’ video and projections add another layer of visual unease, allowing screens and technology inside the home to become as suspicious as its shadowy corners.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • As Joan Acocella wrote for this magazine, in 2008, a suspicious number of cures happen to include alcohol as a main ingredient.
    — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of suspicious
Verb
  • My judgments have never been attacked by an individual doubting my credibility!
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Arday became the focus of hundreds of articles doubting his credibility and denigrating his character in the British and international media.
    — Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of doubting
Adjective
  • 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.
    — Nathan Smith, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2024
  • He was told that unbelieving boys and girls in short dresses and naked arms met in these places and fell in love.
    — The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2022
Definition of unbelieving
Adjective
  • Besides, there are tree branches to bundle, coupons to clip, guacamole to toss out, incredulous news reports to run through Snopes and at least 20 spam texts to block.
    — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • His incredulous response opens the door to a fight that escalates quickly.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of incredulous
Adjective
  • Another reason to be cautious about relying on AI is that crisis communications can pose critical legal risks for companies.
    — Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Beijing is a source of crucial economic support for Iran but has walked a cautious diplomatic line amid the US-Iran war, keeping communications open with players on both sides.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of cautious

Browse Nearby Words

disbelieves
disbelieving
disbenefit
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Cite this Entry

“Disbelieving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disbelieving. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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