belief

noun

bə-ˈlēf How to pronounce belief (audio)
Definition of beliefnext
1
as in credit
mental conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon a belief in UFO's led him to relentlessly scan the nighttime skies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in opinion
an idea that is believed to be true or valid without positive knowledge it's my belief that the sky is blue because our eyes perceive the color blue easily

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word belief different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of belief are credence, credit, and faith. While all these words mean "assent to the truth of something offered for acceptance," belief may or may not imply certitude in the believer.

my belief that I had caught all the errors

When is credence a more appropriate choice than belief?

While in some cases nearly identical to belief, credence suggests intellectual assent without implying anything about grounds for assent.

a theory now given credence by scientists

When can credit be used instead of belief?

Although the words credit and belief have much in common, credit may imply assent on grounds other than direct proof.

gave full credit to the statement of a reputable witness

In what contexts can faith take the place of belief?

While the synonyms faith and belief are close in meaning, faith almost always implies certitude even where there is no evidence or proof.

an unshakable faith in God

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 belief Many of the schools that participate in Florida’s voucher program enforce rules that reflect the organization’s religious beliefs. —Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026 For Mafi, who has been superintendent at Garden Grove Unified since 2013, that belief has been a key part of her life and career. —Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 15 Feb. 2026 Through it all, Riojas didn’t lose belief in himself. —Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 14 Feb. 2026 Every dollar comes from personal support and belief in the mission. —Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for belief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belief
  1. credit
  2. opinion
  3. faith
  4. mind
  5. axiom
  6. view
  7. certainty
  8. conviction
Noun
  • To his credit, Onana remained at the heart of the battle and was evidently key to Villa staving off Bournemouth’s set-play threat.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • And that's before the COVID-19 pandemic and tariffs roiled companies' cash flows, creating even more demand for quick credit.
    — Scott Horsley, NPR, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of credit
Noun
  • Public opinion surveys conducted for the report show much of the world is already fearful that is happening.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Activists are using new tactics, such as micro protests, to increase participation and shift public opinion.
    — Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of opinion
Noun
  • Perhaps some enterprising Democrat or Republican will come along who exhibits more faith in our constitutional system, governs with the foresight that there are more elections to come than just the next one — and reaps the benefits.
    — David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2026
  • What’s changed are his lyrics, now packed with direct references to the Most High and dripping with earnest testimonies inspired by his own faith journey.
    — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of faith
Noun
  • Naumov doesn’t enter with the same pressure as Malinin but has already exceeded expectations in his mind.
    — Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
  • For the launch colorway, a vivid graphic may initially bring to mind heat maps with its application of blue, green, yellow and red — but the choice was actually made to invoke a temporal fold, a theoretical concept of bending spacetime to move faster than the speed of light.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of mind
Noun
  • The axiom about first getting one’s own house in order before pointing to the fault of others is appropriate here.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
  • But even that axiom doesn’t always hold.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Definition of axiom
Noun
  • In this all-new Hubble view, details of its structure are revealed as never before.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Envision, also due for a 2031 launch, will carry an orbital ground-penetrating radar to provide a complete view of Venus from its inner core to its upper atmosphere.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of view
Noun
  • Rousseau asked in his closing, referring to testimony from Detective Jerry Cedillo on his certainty that Bell-Johnson was one of the shooters.
    — Emerson Clarridge Updated February 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026
  • And in this vacuum of scientific certainty, inaccurate beliefs thrive.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of certainty
Noun
  • Many maintained contact with him even after his conviction in 2008 for soliciting a prostitute and procuring a child for prostitution in Florida.
    — Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
  • During more than 21 years of incarceration on death row at Idaho’s maximum security prison south of Boise, Hall repeatedly appealed his convictions in state and federal court.
    — Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of conviction

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belied
belief
beliefs
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Cite this Entry

“Belief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belief. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on belief

Nglish: Translation of belief for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about belief

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