WordGarden.iodisbelief
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /dˌɪsbɪlˈiːf/
US
- /ˌdɪsbɪˈlif/
Meanings
Noun
lack of belief that something is true
shocked or amazed inability to believe what is happening
Beyond the definition
Disbelief isn't just the absence of faith; it's an active feeling of doubt or a refusal to accept something as true. Imagine a magician performing an impossible trick—the gasps and wide eyes in the audience are almost always followed by murmurs of disbelief. This feeling can range from mild skepticism ("I find that hard to believe") to the complete, shocked rejection of an idea. Sometimes, disbelief comes from a lack of evidence, but often it arises because something simply contradicts everything you thought you knew. Whether it's a scientist staring at unexpected experimental results or a person hearing shocking gossip, disbelief is the brain's first defense against the impossible.
Disbelief is the psychological state of being unable or unwilling to believe that something is real or true. It is more than just a lack of conviction; it carries a distinct emotional weight, often mixed with surprise, shock, or even indignation. Think about a time you received truly unbelievable news—perhaps a friend claimed they won the lottery or you witnessed a once-in-a-century historical event. That initial "frozen" moment of processing is disbelief.
This state manifests in various ways. It might be expressed through cautious questioning ("Are you absolutely sure?"), cynical skepticism ("I'll believe it when I see it"), or outright rejection ("That is simply impossible!"). The context often dictates the intensity of the feeling. A child might express disbelief at a fantastical fairy tale, while an adult might experience a heavy sense of disbelief upon hearing a political claim that contradicts their worldview.
Grammatically, the word is a noun—as in, "Her face was etched with disbelief." While the word itself isn't an adverb, it is often used in adverbial phrases like "shaking his head in disbelief." You may also see related forms like the adjective "disbelieving" and the adverb "disbelievingly." It is closely linked to concepts like skepticism and incredulity, though it often implies a more immediate, visceral reaction than cold skepticism.
In literature and storytelling, disbelief is a powerful tool used to create tension and drive a plot forward. A character's disbelief often leads them to investigate a mystery, challenge an antagonist, or struggle to adapt to a new reality. Ultimately, disbelief highlights the gap between our expectations and our experiences, forcing us to re-evaluate our perception of the world around us.
Examples
- 1
Message
She stared at the message in disbelief.
- 2
Family news
His parents listened in disbelief as he said he was leaving school.
- 3
Customer reaction
Many customers expressed disbelief at the company's sudden price increase.
- Patterndisbelief at + event
a feeling that something is hard to accept as true
- 4
Unlikely result
There was widespread disbelief that the team could win without its best player.
- Patterndisbelief that ...
difficulty accepting that something is true
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Storytelling
The plot is unrealistic, but the film still works if you allow a little suspension of disbelief.
- Phrasesuspension of disbelief
accepting something unreal while watching or reading a story
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- in disbelief
- shake one's head in disbelief
- suspend disbelief
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- disbeliefnoun