as in skeptical
inclined to doubt or question claims
the senator stated her case before a disbelieving press corps
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in denying
to think not to be true or real
many disbelieved the medium's claims that she could communicate with the spirits of the dead
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disbelieving
John Wrory Ficklin, Time, 11 Feb. 2026
The higher-ups are disbelieving, but Alex points out that the network has a fancy new AI that can replicate her voice in a zillion languages.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025
Pearl, Dale’s adult daughter, vacillates between disbelieving that her father committed suicide and blaming her mother for it.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
When Mom reached Dad on the telephone in the White House pantry to commiserate over the earth-shattering news, Dad’s response was disbelieving.
—John Wrory Ficklin, Time, 11 Feb. 2026
The higher-ups are disbelieving, but Alex points out that the network has a fancy new AI that can replicate her voice in a zillion languages.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025
Pearl, Dale’s adult daughter, vacillates between disbelieving that her father committed suicide and blaming her mother for it.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disbelieving
Adjective
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But Alireza Nader, an Iranian independent analyst based in Washington, is skeptical that economic pressure alone will force a strategic breaking point.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
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After the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, which claimed some 300,000 lives, Chardy set out to confirm first-hand whether such a high toll was possible in response to an editor’s skeptical questions, said Jacqueline Charles, the Herald’s longtime Haiti and Caribbean correspondent.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Advocates say the right to request asylum is enshrined in the country's immigration law and say denying migrants that right puts people fleeing war or persecution in grave danger.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Apr. 2026
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Yet there’s no denying that Renny Harlin, in his utilitarian action-hack way, has some chops.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Water testing has been temporarily increased to once a month at the Oceanside Harbor after someone reported seeing a suspicious liquid dumped from a boat.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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In October, Havens ran off after attendees at a school volleyball game notified a Will County sheriff’s office school resource officer of suspicious behavior, according to a sheriff’s news release at the time.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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SROs have been controversial, with critics doubting on-campus law enforcement’s efficacy in responding to school shootings.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
16 Apr. 2026
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While not doubting his capabilities and dedication, some have questioned Velasco’s relative lack of experience in a prestige post traditionally occupied by party notables with decades of public service.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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One day, the elusive Seth meets the equally alluring but totally living doctor Maggie (Meg Ryan), who is suspicious and unbelieving of the mystical wonders of this world.—
Nathan Smith,
Vulture,
14 Feb. 2024
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As punishment, God confines them to the desert for 40 years, until the unbelieving generation ...—
Madeleine Kearns,
National Review,
10 Sep. 2023
Adjective
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His comments prompted jeers and incredulous laughs.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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Starmer’s explanation was greeted with jeers from opposition lawmakers, incredulous that the nation’s leader hadn’t known such a crucial piece of information.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Be cautious of any company that pushes a specific program without understanding your circumstances.—
Rebecca Safier,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Visitors should be cautious about going into a sea cave without a guide, as a swell can flow into it and dramatically raise the water level in a matter of seconds, pushing kayaks into rocks and leaving little air for those trapped inside.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disbelieving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disbelieving. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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