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noun Uncommon

disbelief

dihs-bih-LEEF
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Disbelief (noun) means an unwillingness or inability to believe that something is true. Example: “She stared at the results in complete disbelief.”

noun
1
An unwillingness or inability to believe that something is true.
"She cried out in disbelief on hearing that terrorists had crashed an airplane into the World Trade Center in New York City."
"She stared at the results in complete disbelief."
"His claims were met with widespread disbelief."

How to use disbelief

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe feeling of not being able to accept that something is real or true, often out of shock.

Common pairings
shake one's head in disbelief stare in disbelief met with disbelief
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Word forms

Plural
disbeliefs
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She stared at the results in complete _____.

Etymology

From dis- + belief.

scepticism unbelief skepticism incredulity

Antonyms

Related words

Rhymes for disbelief

See all rhymes for disbelief →

Frequently asked questions

What does “disbelief” mean?
The word “disbelief” means an unwillingness or inability to believe that something is true. In plain terms, the feeling of not being able to accept that something is real or true, often out of shock.
How do you pronounce “disbelief”?
“Disbelief” is pronounced dihs-bih-LEEF (/dɪsbɪˈliːf/ in IPA).
How do you use “disbelief” in a sentence?
Here is “disbelief” used in a sentence: “She stared at the results in complete disbelief.”
What is another word for “disbelief”?
Words with a similar meaning to “disbelief” include incredulity.
What is the opposite of “disbelief”?
The opposite of “disbelief” — its antonyms — is belief.
What part of speech is “disbelief”?
“Disbelief” is a noun.
Is “disbelief” a common word?
“Disbelief” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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