believe
6 synonyms and 5 antonyms for believe, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To accept something as true without being completely certain.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use believe
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English belifan, built from be- plus a root related to "leave" in the old sense of "give permission" — over time this shifted to mean "hold something to be true."
Full origin of believe →Frequently asked questions
What does “believe” mean?
The word “believe” means to accept something as true without being completely certain. In plain terms, to accept something as true or trustworthy, or to have faith in someone or something.
How do you pronounce “believe”?
“Believe” is pronounced bih-LEEV (/bɪˈliːv/ in IPA).
How do you use “believe” in a sentence?
Here is “believe” used in a sentence: “I believe the meeting was moved to Thursday.”
What is the opposite of “believe”?
The opposite of “believe” — its antonyms — are disbelieve, doubt, mistrust, distrust and suspect.
What part of speech is “believe”?
“Believe” is a verb.
Where does the word “believe” come from?
The word “believe” comes from Old English. From Old English belifan, built from be- plus a root related to "leave" in the old sense of "give permission" — over time this shifted to mean "hold something to be true.".
Is “believe” a common word?
“Believe” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “believe” have?
“Believe” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to accept something as true without being completely certain.
What is the difference between believe and belief?
'Believe' is the verb — the act of accepting something as true, as in 'I believe you'. 'Belief' is the noun — the idea or conviction itself, as in 'a strong belief'. The two are constantly confused because they sound alike, but one is an action and the other is a thing.
What is the difference between believing and knowing something?
Believing means accepting something as true without being completely certain, often on trust or partial evidence. Knowing implies certainty backed by solid proof or direct experience. You might believe a friend will arrive on time, but you only know it once they walk through the door.
Can you believe something without proof?
Yes. Believing does not require full certainty or hard evidence — that is what separates it from knowing. People believe things based on trust, faith, intuition, or the word of others. This is why we can believe a promise or a prediction long before there is any proof it is true.
What is an example of 'believe' in a sentence?
You might say, 'I believe it will rain later,' or 'They believe the plan will work.' In both cases the speaker accepts something as true or likely without being completely sure. 'Believe' can also express trust in a person, as in 'I believe you.'