disbelieved
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: //dɪsˈbɪliːvd//
KK: /dɪsˈbɪlɪvd/
adjective
Definition
Not accepted as true or valid; regarded as false or untrustworthy.
Example
Her claims were disbelieved by the jury during the trial.
Conversation
I can't believe how many people disbelieved his story about the UFO sighting.
Right? It was so detailed and convincing!
Exactly! It's frustrating when people just ignore something interesting.
I know! Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
doubted
disputed
dismissed
Antonyms
accepted
believed
trusted
verb
Definition
To refuse to accept that something is true or real.
Example
She disbelieved his story about the accident.
Tense Forms
Past: disbelieved
Past Participle: disbelieved
Conversation
I heard a rumor that she won the lottery!
Really? I disbelieved it at first, but I think it might be true.
Yeah, it sounds unbelievable, but I've seen her with new stuff lately.
Root Explanation
Disbelieved → It is formed from "dis-" (meaning apart or away) and "believe" (from Old English "beliefe", meaning to hold as true). The word "disbelieved" means to hold something as not true or to reject belief in something.
Memory Tip
Think of 'dis-' meaning 'apart' and 'believe' as holding something true — so when you disbelieve, you are setting apart from what you hold to be true.
Visually Confused Words
misbelieve
misbeliever