misbelieve

[ mis-bi-leev ]

verb (used without object)

, mis·be·lieved, mis·be·liev·ing.

1. to believe wrongly; hold an erroneous belief.

verb (used with object)

, mis·be·lieved, mis·be·liev·ing.

1. to disbelieve; doubt.

Other Words From

• misbe·liever noun
• misbe·lieving·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of misbelieve¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; mis- ¹, believe

Example Sentences

"Many older smokers misbelieve that they are too old to quit or too old to benefit from quitting."

From Reuters

Every human bond was severed by the guilt of heresy; children were taught to desert their parents, and even the sacrament of matrimony could not unite an orthodox wife to a misbelieving husband.

From Project Gutenberg

I misbelieve that'll ever be; don't see how it can be.

From Project Gutenberg

Misbelievers would have no rights under an orthodox State, and a misbelieving prince would have no authority over orthodox subjects.

From Project Gutenberg

Nor let the slow and misbelieving wight Doubt how the fire on the hard earth may seize; No more then how those waters erst did light Upon the sinfull world.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• disbelieve
• discredit
• mistrust