Antonyms for believe


Grammar : Verb
Spell : bih-leev
Phonetic Transcription : bɪˈliv


Definition of believe

Origin :
  • Old English belyfan "to believe," earlier geleafa (Mercian), gelefa (Northumbrian), gelyfan (West Saxon) "believe," from Proto-Germanic *ga-laubjan "to believe," perhaps literally "hold dear, love" (cf. Old Saxon gilobian "believe," Dutch geloven, Old High German gilouben, German glauben), ultimately a compound based on PIE *leubh- "to care, desire, love" (see belief).
  • Spelling beleeve is common till 17c.; then altered, perhaps by influence of relieve, etc. To believe on instead of in was more common in 16c. but now is a peculiarity of theology; believe of also sometimes was used in 17c. Related: Believed (formerly occasionally beleft); believing. Expression believe it or not attested by 1874; Robert Ripley's newspaper cartoon of the same name is from 1918. Emphatic you better believe attested from 1854.
  • verb trust, rely on
  • verb assume or suppose
Example sentences :
  • Moreover, I believe, dearest Eudora, that half your wrongs are in your own imagination.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • I believe he has given the Athenians philtres to make them love him.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • But believe me, Eudora, Alcibiades will never divorce Hipparete.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • Has he then made you believe that he would divorce Hipparete?
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • She is glad to believe that there is every reason why it will soon be over.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • When I was twenty I could have loved him devotedly, I believe.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • But do try to believe, at the same time, that my own selfishness has been a kindness to you.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • Therefore you get the following sentence, "I believe I saw a giraffe."
  • Extract from : « Ancient Man » by Hendrik Willem van Loon
  • It was on this errand that she first visited Boston—we believe in the winter of 1858-59.
  • Extract from : « Harriet, The Moses of Her People » by Sarah H. Bradford
  • No one can hear Harriet talk, and not believe every word she says.
  • Extract from : « Harriet, The Moses of Her People » by Sarah H. Bradford

Synonyms for believe

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019