as in skeptical
inclined to doubt or question claims
the senator stated her case before a disbelieving press corps
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
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
-
Audiences are skeptical of celebrity.
-
McGarry, while supportive of the county's initial steps, remains skeptical that the ordinance goes far enough to protect the most vulnerable residents.
Verb
-
University of California Health is denying reports that human bodies donated for research and education at UC San Diego in La Jolla were sold to the Navy and the Israel Defense Forces for military medical training.
-
And no one is denying the tensions between certain governments.
Adjective
-
Reynoso said suspicious bank activity and withdrawals were made to their accounts.
-
Be highly suspicious of content that offers simple, absolute solutions to complex medical conditions.
Verb
-
On Tuesday, as Argentina began defense of its World Cup championship, the doubters are no longer doubting.
-
Because of that, investors are perhaps doubting this attempt as well.
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.
-
As punishment, God confines them to the desert for 40 years, until the unbelieving generation ...
Adjective
-
On several occasions throughout the game, Lakers players were incredulous after calls – or non-calls – from the crew.
-
On several occasions, Lakers players were incredulous after calls — or no-calls — from the crew.
Adjective
-
Berkeley adopted a more cautious approach.
-
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 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
