belied by

USAGE SUMMARY

"belied by" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is an idiom meaning to be contradicted by the facts or evidence. For example: His assertion of innocence was belied by the fact that he had been seen near the scene of the crime.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is belied by the facts.

The New York Times

America's bold promises were belied by its actions.

The Economist

But the defiant words are belied by the record.

The New York Times - Sports

But the argument is belied by the statistics.

The Guardian

Yet his own optimism is belied by RockPort's investments.

The New York Times

Indeed, Defendants' unfounded assertion is belied by the contents of Professor Kraakman's report.

Harvard University

LEXIS *10, is belied by the fact that professors assigned these precise materials.

Stanford University

It was belied by a collection of expensive properties in Chile.

The Economist

Yet their talk of easy victory was belied by a failure to follow through.

The Economist

Zircon sounded Oriental; calomel, Greek — its honeylike sweetness, its "mel," belied by its poisonness.

The New Yorker

The confidence of these drawings is belied by the wallowing, seething content of Ingres's writings.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "belied by", ensure that the subject performing the action of belying is concrete and easily understandable. Clarity will strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "belied by" when you intend to convey a simple negation. The phrase implies a discrepancy between a superficial appearance and an underlying truth, not just a lack of validity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "belied by" functions as a passive construction where something (a claim, an appearance, etc.) is shown to be false or misleading by something else (facts, evidence, etc.). Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It indicates a discrepancy between what is presented or believed and the underlying reality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

23%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "belied by" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to highlight contradictions between appearances and reality. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, which is particularly prevalent in news, academic writing and encyclopedias. When writing, make sure that the phrase is used in passive voice construction, it is used to effectively challenge assumptions and enhance the sophistication of your writing. While synonyms like "contradicted by" or "disproved by" can be employed, "belied by" carries a nuanced implication of deception.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contradicted by

Emphasizes a direct opposition or conflict between two statements or facts.

shown to be false by

Highlights the process of proving something untrue through evidence.

disproved by

Focuses on the definitive refutation of a claim or idea.

inconsistent with

Indicates a lack of alignment or agreement between two things.

at odds with

Suggests a state of conflict or disagreement.

runs counter to

Implies a direct opposition or resistance to something.

does not align with

Highlights a discrepancy or lack of correspondence.

gives the lie to

A more emphatic way of saying something is proven false.

masking the truth of

Emphasizes how something apparent hides an actual reality.

does not reflect

Highlights a discrepancy between the true state of affairs and its representation.

FAQs

How can I use "belied by" in a sentence?

Use "belied by" when you want to show how something is proven false or misleading by certain facts. For example: "His claim of poverty was "belied by" his expensive car".

What's the difference between ""belied by"" and "contradicted by"?

"Belied by" suggests an appearance that is misleading, while "contradicted by" indicates a direct opposition. The first suggests a deception, while the second indicates an inconsistency.

What are some alternatives to ""belied by""?

Alternatives to ""belied by"" include phrases like "shown to be false by", "disproved by", or "inconsistent with", depending on the specific context.

Is ""belied by"" formal or informal?

"Belied by" is generally considered a formal expression, suitable for academic, professional, or news-related writing. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "shown to be false" might be preferable.