1
as in misrepresented
to give a misleading impression of
his bright smile belied his actual mood, which was really one of great sadness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in refuted
to prove to be false
the latest information belies the old theory
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obscured
to keep secret or shut off from view
the security council issued false assurances that belied the true gravity of the situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of belied
The Noongar Wongi rapper from Boorloo (Perth), still a teenager, delivered a full-band take on the 2003 conscious hip-hop classic, leaning into its themes of global division and compassion with a confidence that belied his age.
—
Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2026
But Buffon protested that a system of tidy categories based upon a single criterion belied the lush and jumbled profusion of nature.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
While the number of events at the San Jose McEneny Convention Center and adjacent East Hall has been climbing since the 2021-22 fiscal year, from 38 to 58 last year, the booming attendance at Nvidia’s gathering belied a struggling recovery with a long way to go before returning to pre-COVID levels.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
But such a hope was belied by the developments after the cold war ended as civil wars ensued in many parts of the world.
—Debidatta A. Mahapatra, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Holtz’s place-kicker frame belied a personality that was middle linebacker.
—Mac Engel
march 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026
The Clifton facility belied these claims.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The latter belied Altuve’s efforts.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 14 Feb. 2026
Friday’s performance belied that potential.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2026
But Buffon protested that a system of tidy categories based upon a single criterion belied the lush and jumbled profusion of nature.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
While the number of events at the San Jose McEneny Convention Center and adjacent East Hall has been climbing since the 2021-22 fiscal year, from 38 to 58 last year, the booming attendance at Nvidia’s gathering belied a struggling recovery with a long way to go before returning to pre-COVID levels.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
But such a hope was belied by the developments after the cold war ended as civil wars ensued in many parts of the world.
—Debidatta A. Mahapatra, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Holtz’s place-kicker frame belied a personality that was middle linebacker.
—Mac Engel
march 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026
The Clifton facility belied these claims.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The latter belied Altuve’s efforts.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 14 Feb. 2026
Friday’s performance belied that potential.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belied
Verb
-
The suit claimed David severely misrepresented the calorie and fat content of each bar, which allegedly has 400% more fat and 80% more calories than advertised.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Lithgow didn’t elaborate on what had been misrepresented about Rowling’s views.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The investigation is based on debunked fraud claims, as local election officials have already refuted the allegations of discrepancies by explaining that the citizens group’s analysis relied on incomplete data.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Jones, who lived in San Francisco for years before moving to Napa, refuted the insinuation of carpetbagging.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Conley noted that the car was drifting in its lane and had a license plate obscured.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Stay at least 200 feet behind any working plow to make sure your visibility isn't obscured.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Two pumps of product managed to do the trick for my full face, and suddenly my hyperpigmentation on my cheek was concealed.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Last June, Ukrainian drones concealed inside of pallets on trailers were released to conduct a coordinated, simultaneous attack on several air bases deep inside Russia.—
Brynn Tannehill,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Denver metro test drive loop My drives with the Prius covered much of the South Denver metro area, including stretches of C-470 and E-470, where steady highway cruising allowed the hybrid system to show off its efficiency.—
Sponsored Content,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The remains were found partially covered in sediment, and their position on a sediment pile suggests intentional placement, likely as part of a ritual funerary practice.—
Ryan Brennan
April 4,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That melatonin your brain just started producing gets suppressed again immediately.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
That means speech around controversial issues, diet and fitness, mental health topics, sexuality, and much more will be suppressed.—
Elizabeth Nolan Brown,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When Wolfgang overdoses on laudanum, however, Anna Marie performed disguised as Wolfgang donning a dramatic red costume and face paint, captivating the court and drawing the envy of Mozart’s greatest rival, Antonio Salieri.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
2 Apr. 2026
-
While serving a tour of duty outside the province of Kandahar in Afghanistan in August of 2011, he was ambushed by Taliban insurgents disguised in Afghan National Army uniforms.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Belied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belied. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
