disbelieve

USAGE SUMMARY

The correct word is "disbelieve." You can use it to express disbelief or disbelief in something: I couldn't disbelieve my eyes when I saw the size of the fish!

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We ignore or disbelieve statistics that recent years have seen more jobs, less crime, smaller classes and more NHS operations.

The Guardian - Opinion

This gap was so wide, so fundamental to the meaning of democracy, that those who operated the system began to disbelieve in its legitimacy.

The Guardian - Tech

Many blacks in Ferguson disbelieve anything the police say (see article).

The Economist

The prices paid to producers fell, again.One way to reconcile the inflation number with other signs of excess is to disbelieve it.

The Economist

In other areas, such as quiet Damascus, many disbelieve the news leaking out or prefer to turn a blind eye.

The Economist

IT IS impossible to see such a thing and disbelieve in progress.

The Economist

In short: business as usual, and every reason for Russians to disbelieve anything the West tells them about the need to run their country properly.

The Economist

Too many on his side seemed to want to believe in a very specific version of America, and disbelieve discordant facts and arguments.Both these problems matter.

The Economist

Luckily, there are plenty of reasons to disbelieve them.

The Economist

That same rhetoric has inspired fear and hatred among richer Mexicans, who disbelieve the candidate's insistence that he would "respect macroeconomic norms" and their property.His record as mayor of Mexico City in 2000-05 getsimilarlyly mixed reviews.

The Economist

After Perrin, few scientists could disbelieve the existence of atoms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disbelieve" when actively denying or rejecting something, rather than passively doubting it. For example, "They disbelieve the official account of the events."

Common error

While both imply a lack of belief, "doubt" suggests uncertainty, whereas "disbelieve" indicates a stronger rejection. Be careful to use "disbelieve" only when there's an active rejection of a claim, not just a lack of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The verb "disbelieve" functions primarily to express a lack of belief in something, often implying a conscious rejection of its truth. Ludwig shows how it's used to actively deny or refuse to accept a statement or claim.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "disbelieve" is a versatile verb used to express a lack of belief or active rejection of something as true. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that "disbelieve" is grammatically correct and commonly used. The sources reflect a wide array of contexts, from news and media to encyclopedias and scientific publications. Related terms include "doubt", "reject", and "question", each carrying slightly different nuances. Remember to use "disbelieve" when expressing an active rejection rather than a passive uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doubt

Implies uncertainty or lack of conviction about the truth of something.

reject

Suggests a stronger stance of refusing to accept or believe something.

question

Indicates an inquiry or challenge to the validity of a statement.

be skeptical of

Highlights a cautious and questioning attitude.

take with a grain of salt

Means not to fully believe something.

remain unconvinced

Emphasizes the lack of persuasion or belief.

have reservations about

Expresses hesitation or doubts about something.

beg to differ

Indicates a polite disagreement or lack of belief.

find hard to accept

Highlights the difficulty in believing something due to its nature.

controvert

Emphasizes an active denial to what someone says.

FAQs

How do you use "disbelieve" in a sentence?

You can use "disbelieve" to indicate a lack of belief or a rejection of something as true. For example, "I "disbelieve" his excuse for being late" means you don't accept his excuse.

What are some alternatives to "disbelieve"?

Alternatives to "disbelieve" include "doubt", "reject", or "question". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "disbelieve" and "doubt"?

"Doubt" implies uncertainty or a lack of conviction, whereas "disbelieve" suggests a stronger stance of actively rejecting something as untrue. It is possible to "doubt" something without necessarily "disbelieving" it entirely.

Is it ever appropriate to use "disbelieve" in formal writing?

Yes, "disbelieve" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to express a clear rejection of a claim or statement. It's a straightforward and unambiguous term.