disbelieving 1 of 2

adjective

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

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
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
  1. skeptical
  2. denying
  3. suspicious
  4. doubting
  5. unbelieving
  6. incredulous
  7. cautious
Adjective
  • Deeply skeptical of his diplomatic attempts with Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could view the president’s comments as an opening to continue operations both in Lebanon, against Hezbollah, or in Iran itself.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
  • As recently as last year, the bank’s executives were skeptical that ventures known for such voracious capital spending would be able to sustain their business models.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 July 2026
Definition of skeptical
Verb
  • This has been compounded by massive cuts in international aid and a Taliban government that has sidelined half of Afghanistan’s population, denying women and girls education beyond primary school and banning them from the vast majority of jobs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
  • Similar restrictions have been challenged elsewhere, including in Georgia, where a federal judge ruled that denying hormone therapy to incarcerated people violated the Eighth Amendment.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026
Definition of denying
Adjective
  • Nile finds himself in a cat-and-mouse dynamic with his new neighbor (Claire Danes), an author in search of her next book subject who is suspicious of his innocence.
    — Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • But by playing coy about next steps, Hamas has given observers and critics plenty of reasons to be suspicious about this latest development.
    — Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 8 July 2026
Definition of suspicious
Verb
  • 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.
    — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2026
  • All of those Republicans are seriously doubting the president here, Senator Graham.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 June 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
  • As punishment, God confines them to the desert for 40 years, until the unbelieving generation ...
    — Madeleine Kearns, National Review, 10 Sep. 2023
Definition of unbelieving
Adjective
  • 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
  • On several occasions, Lakers players were incredulous after calls — or no-calls — from the crew.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026
Definition of incredulous
Adjective
  • Consumer confidence ticked up in June after weeks of anxiety tied to the conflict, though people remain cautious as worries about jobs and prices persist.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026
  • Gymshark’s growth has slowed as competition has intensified and consumers have become more cautious about spending.
    — Robert Olsen, Forbes.com, 4 July 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 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on disbelieving

Nglish: Translation of disbelieving for Spanish Speakers

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