as in disbelief
refusal to accept something as true
a natural-born skeptic, she typically greets the latest conspiracy theory with head-shaking unbelief
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 unbelief
My own passage into and back out of unbelief—one marked by a close reading of works that earlier illiberal societies had attempted to suppress on religious grounds—has strengthened my liberal commitments.
—
Christopher Beha, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
But the indirect benefits seem to reflect a posture against green energy, related to unbelief in climate change, and these lead to support for inefficient energy alternatives like nuclear and geothermal and gas-fired turbines.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
The historical abnormality of modern-day unbelief was a theme of Pope Benedict XVI’s in the years before, during, and after his pontificate.
—Katherine Howell, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023
It’s been a bit of unbelief.
—Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2021
His Dark Materials is a kind of romance of unbelief.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 15 Oct. 2019
When you have been taught, commanded even, to build your entire life around a community, the cost of unbelief is considerable.
—Amber Scorah, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2019
This problem of unbelief has plagued reformers for decades.
—Ervand Abrahamian, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2016
Christopher Beha, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
But the indirect benefits seem to reflect a posture against green energy, related to unbelief in climate change, and these lead to support for inefficient energy alternatives like nuclear and geothermal and gas-fired turbines.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
The historical abnormality of modern-day unbelief was a theme of Pope Benedict XVI’s in the years before, during, and after his pontificate.
—Katherine Howell, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023
It’s been a bit of unbelief.
—Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2021
His Dark Materials is a kind of romance of unbelief.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 15 Oct. 2019
When you have been taught, commanded even, to build your entire life around a community, the cost of unbelief is considerable.
—Amber Scorah, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2019
This problem of unbelief has plagued reformers for decades.
—Ervand Abrahamian, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unbelief
Noun
-
Instead, Neuer plunged down, jutted out a wrist of steel, and Mbappe turned away, eyes wide in disbelief.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Several of Heuermann’s neighbors spoke to CBS after his arrest, expressing their shock and disbelief over the news.—
Kelsey Lentz,
PEOPLE,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But the signals kept accumulating, and over time, his skepticism gave way to a new line of inquiry that could transform scientists’ understanding of the two diseases.—
Ariana Eunjung Cha,
Washington Post,
5 Apr. 2026
-
There’s often skepticism when a boutique brand scales up.—
Jeff Miller,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Indictments have a lower burden of proof and require only probable cause, while a trial would require prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that each defendant is culpable.—
Jason Henry,
Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
That anticipation for Season 3, premiering Sunday, still lingers for Fletcher, though it’s tempered now by doubt and distance, thanks to a four-year gap between seasons.—
Precious Fondren,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unbelief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unbelief. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
