as in disbelief
refusal to accept something as true
a natural-born skeptic, she typically greets the latest conspiracy theory with head-shaking unbelief
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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
Decree defeat, humiliation and unbelief to the unbelievers.
—Adam Nossiter, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2018
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
Decree defeat, humiliation and unbelief to the unbelievers.
—Adam Nossiter, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2018
This problem of unbelief has plagued reformers for decades.
—Ervand Abrahamian, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unbelief
Noun
-
And this was backed up by Edozie, who was initially in disbelief that he was being summoned to get ready by Edwards.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Liu held her palms up in disbelief after finishing the program of her life that put her in the lead with two competitors remaining.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Bipartisan skepticism of corporate power comes and goes in America, but the latest wave has roots in the parallel streams flowing from the Great Financial Crisis, Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Chastain ended the lengthy note with a hint of skepticism about whether the series would ever air at all.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There’s little doubt that artificial intelligence will transform the workforce—but the jury is still out on what that transformation will look like in the near term.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In a flowy fabric and a trendy butter yellow color, too, there’s no doubt this garment will have all eyes on you.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unbelief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unbelief. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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