disbelieving 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
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
Adjective
  • People can and should be skeptical about the sonnets written about starting NFL quarterbacks every offseason, when no one is getting sacked and almost everyone looks good.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
  • After clear signs that a judge was skeptical of its defense, Paramount decided to agree to go to trial and not to close the deal before June 1, 2027, or a favorable ruling, whichever comes first.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 28 July 2026
Verb
  • In the early 1930s, the Pulitzer Prize–winning New York Times correspondent Walter Duranty wrote stories denying the famine that Joseph Stalin’s forced-collectivization policies were causing in Ukraine and mocked journalists who reported the truth.
    James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
  • Human rights groups have accused Iranian authorities of denying defendants due process, relying on coerced confessions and carrying out executions after unfair trials.
    Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
Adjective
  • Some of them felt betrayed by Platner himself, while others don’t believe the accusations against him, find the timing suspicious or think there was more to the story.
    Margie Cullen, USA Today, 29 July 2026
  • Glen Powell is hitting the field once again — and this time, people are suspicious.
    Shelby Stivale, Entertainment Weekly, 29 July 2026
Verb
  • However, Korotaev leans on the side of doubting any decisive impact from Fedorov.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 16 July 2026
  • All the while, Donnie berated her for doubting him and demanded an apology.
    Juliet Linderman, Fortune, 16 July 2026
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
Adjective
  • When provided with the county’s explanation, Johnson was incredulous.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
  • On several occasions throughout the game, Lakers players were incredulous after calls – or non-calls – from the crew.
    Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
Adjective
  • Thanks to persistent inflation, the soaring cost of living, and AI making employers cautious about hiring (and everyday people cautious of spending), entry-level part-time jobs like lifeguarding and retail assistants are disappearing.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 25 July 2026
  • Some are more cautious about buying nonessentials like takeout coffee.
    ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Disbelieving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disbelieving. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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