Synonym Chooser

How is the word belief different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of belief are credence, credit, and faith. While all these words mean "assent to the truth of something offered for acceptance," belief may or may not imply certitude in the believer.

my belief that I had caught all the errors

When is credence a more appropriate choice than belief?

While in some cases nearly identical to belief, credence suggests intellectual assent without implying anything about grounds for assent.

a theory now given credence by scientists

When can credit be used instead of belief?

Although the words credit and belief have much in common, credit may imply assent on grounds other than direct proof.

gave full credit to the statement of a reputable witness

In what contexts can faith take the place of belief?

While the synonyms faith and belief are close in meaning, faith almost always implies certitude even where there is no evidence or proof.

an unshakable faith in God

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 belief Its 12 episodes explore what happens when the Mud Whale encounters another island with very different beliefs, and the conflict that follows. Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 2 May 2025 This is a time to let go of outdated beliefs or structures that are no longer serving your higher purpose. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025 Blending Islamic and secular visions for the new nation, the five pillars are a belief in God, civilized humanity, national unity, democracy, and social justice for all. Lindsey McGinnis, Christian Science Monitor, 1 May 2025 On the other side of the coin, the belief that other people’s suffering is a form of punishment comes from a need to believe that the world is just. Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for belief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belief
Noun
  • The more important one comes at the very end of the credits.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 May 2025
  • Indiana couldn’t get enough stops against the NBA’s top offense in 2024 – though to their credit, almost nobody could.
    Tony East, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
Noun
  • The Guardian newspaper reports that the former Doctor Who star – who appeared in the 2005 film adaptation of Rowling’s book Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – gave his opinion of Rowling in answer to questions posed by a group of neurodivergent young adults in ITV’s show The Assembly.
    Caroline Frost, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
  • In Wells’ opinion, that ability has been the most remarkable thing about him thus far.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Trump put his faith in import tariffs, which sparked a worldwide trade war.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • The energy around you may feel optimistic, so now is the time to restore faith in the process of your personal journey.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • In their minds, the miracle cure gets worse odds than lighting striking you while a meteor lands on your head.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • As Prima stood in the hallway speaking to Ruth, her mind moved over the contours of the previous year and reviewed the evidence.
    Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 4 May 2025
Noun
  • But the soul of the Scorpion was not easily vanquished, proving the axiom that driving a slow car fast is better than driving a fast car slow.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2025
  • It’s become a political axiom of sorts that policies championed largely by Democratic city leaders over the past half decade have resulted in rising crime levels.
    Christopher S. Warshaw, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • As the cost of a degree soared, and a crisis over student debt came into view, politicians (and Republicans in particular) became more skeptical about letting federal dollars flow to universities.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 9 May 2025
  • Still, Biden didn’t mince words on his view of what Trump has shown the world on his return to power.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • By now, the harm from lost funds has already rippled out, removing in its wake the financial certainty that businesses and farms both rely on for long-term planning.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 1 May 2025
  • It’s been said that the only certainty is more uncertainty in life.
    Albert Kim, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • Abrego Garcia denies being a gang member and has no criminal convictions.
    Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • Then came former Prime Minister Najib Razak, who today sits in jail following convictions of abuse of power and money laundering related to the 1MDB corruption scandal.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 2 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Belief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belief. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on belief

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!