[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/disbelieve/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [D](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/d/) / disbelieve

# disbelieve

verb (disbelieve, disbelieves, disbelieved, disbelieving)

«disbelieve» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To not believe that someone or something is true; to refuse to believe. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/disbelieve/#m1)
2. To not have faith in something, especially in God (formal, older use). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/disbelieve/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories: a character may disbelieve a strange tale or warning, often wrongly. In the Bible: Thomas disbelieved that Jesus had risen until he saw him (that's why he is called «Doubting Thomas»). In everyday life: people disbelieve tall stories. Phrases: «disbelieve someone», «disbelieve the story».

### Examples

- The villagers disbelieved the boy who cried wolf. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/disbelieve/#x1)
- Thomas disbelieved the news until he saw Jesus himself. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/disbelieve/#x2)
- I have no reason to disbelieve you. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/disbelieve/#x3)
- The teacher disbelieved my excuse about the dog eating my homework. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/disbelieve/#x4)
- Many people disbelieved the explorer's tales. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/disbelieve/#x5)
- She was disbelieved at first, but the evidence proved her right. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/disbelieve/#x6)
- “Then do you disbelieve what I say, and think that I am telling you a falsehood?” [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/disbelieve/#x7)

### Note

Regular verb. Noun: «disbelief» («in disbelief» = not able to believe it). More common in speech: «not believe». Spelling: «ie» after b-e-l (i before e except after c).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «disbelieve» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/disbelieve/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«disbelieve» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/disbelieve.html) on Mova free.