disbelief
gb/dˌɪsbɪlˈif/ us/dˌɪsbɪlˈif/
B1
English
~ 1900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
state
1
inability or refusal to believe
The feeling of thinking something is not true.
Usage pattern:
in [state] of disbelief
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'disbelief' with 'misbelief'. 'Disbelief' means not believing something, while 'misbelief' means believing something wrong.
Synonyms
doubt (Suggests uncertainty rather than complete rejection of truth.)
|
skepticism (Implies questioning or requiring evidence before belief.)
Antonyms
belief (Direct opposite, meaning acceptance that something is true.)
|
acceptance (Focuses on willingly agreeing to something as true or real.)
Collocations
in disbelief
|look of disbelief
|express disbelief
|shake head in disbelief
Themes
emotions
|communication
|psychology
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She stared at the letter in disbelief.
- His face showed total disbelief when he heard the news.
- They reacted with disbelief to the sudden announcement.
- I listened in disbelief as he told the story.
- The crowd watched in disbelief as the player missed the goal.
Learner examples
- I looked at him in disbelief.
- She opened the box in disbelief.
- He listened in disbelief to the story.
- They stood there in disbelief.
- Her eyes were wide with disbelief.
Grammar
Dictionary form
disbelief
IPA
GB/dˌɪsbɪlˈif/
US/dˌɪsbɪlˈif/
Syllables & stress
dis - be - lief (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (lief)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: disbelief
- Plural: disbelief
Word family
Negative and opposite forms
Expressions
in disbelief
1/ˈɪn dˌɪsbɪlˈif/
fixed phrase
not accepting something as true
Feeling that something is not true or real.
Examples
- She shook her head in disbelief at his words.
- He stood in disbelief as the results were announced.
look of disbelief
1/lˈʊk əv dˌɪsbɪlˈif/
fixed phrase
facial expression showing doubt or shock
A face that shows you cannot believe something.
Examples
- He gave me a look of disbelief when I told him the price.
- Her look of disbelief made everyone laugh.
shake one's head in disbelief
1/ʃˈeɪk wˈʌnz hˈɛd ˈɪn dˌɪsbɪlˈif/
fixed phrase
gesture showing refusal to believe
To move your head from side to side to show you cannot believe something.
Examples
- She shook her head in disbelief when she saw the damage.
- He just shook his head in disbelief at the mistake.