disbelief

[ dis-bi-leef ]

noun

1. the inability or refusal to believe or to accept something as true.
2. amazement; astonishment:

   We stared at the Taj Mahal in disbelief.

disbelief

/ ˌdɪsbɪˈliːf /

noun

1. refusal or reluctance to believe

Word History and Origins

Origin of disbelief¹

First recorded in 1665–75; dis- ¹ + belief

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. suspension of disbelief, the implicit convention requiring a reader, spectator, etc., to set aside their usual criteria for judging the reality or credibility of an experience in order to be be fully immersed in a fictional or fantastic reality: According to Coleridge, enlightened readers could still enjoy literature about the supernatural because of the phenomenon he named “willing suspension of disbelief.”

   The absurd plot in the last episode stretched our suspension of disbelief to the breaking point.

   According to Coleridge, enlightened readers could still enjoy literature about the supernatural because of the phenomenon he named “willing suspension of disbelief.”

Example Sentences

“I know it sounds so simple and naive, but I don’t understand how the bad guy keeps winning,” she says, choking up, her soft voice tinged with disbelief.

From Los Angeles Times

The lawyer's combative and sometimes aggressive tone elicited gasps from the public and the media inside the courtroom, and several people shook their heads in disbelief.

From BBC

The gesture appears to be a mix of delight and disbelief, as if to say, “Tell me he did not just go there.”

From Salon

And on Sunday afternoon, instead of receiving the good news that Johnson and Co. might have expected, the luck of the draw left Sparks representative Rickea Jackson gasping in disbelief instead of cheering in glee.

From Los Angeles Times

He shouted, he laughed sarcastically, he waved his arms in disbelief.

From BBC

Related Words

• distrust
• incredulity
• mistrust