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 But contrary to popular belief, the cake was never actually served at the Watergate Hotel. —Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2026 Weiss and others with similar beliefs are getting a boost from the highest echelons of the Israeli government. —Shira Pinson, NBC news, 17 May 2026 There were threads of Christian nationalism, a belief that the United States has been and should be defined by Christianity. —Susan Page, USA Today, 17 May 2026 Human oversight was diluted due to a belief that the AI agent was working perfectly. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 May 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
  • For a $500 monthly loan payment, credit insurance coverage would cost between $5 and $25 per month.
    — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 18 May 2026
  • Identity theft monitoring services can alert you to suspicious activity, such as new accounts opened in your name or unusual credit changes.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
Definition of credit
Noun
  • Regardless of the ultimate outcome, neither tech magnate is likely to win in the court of public opinion, said University of California at Berkeley Law School professor Stavros Gadinis.
    — Ashley Capoot,Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 18 May 2026
  • In that same light, McIlroy, Lowry, or any other player is absolutely entitled to share their opinions of a setup, and outside of an egregious statement, shouldn't take flak.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
Definition of opinion
Noun
  • What was perhaps distinct to this late twentieth-century moment, along with the elevation of the rational (or more precisely, economic model consistent) expectations of market participants, was the faith that central banks were already implementing such an ideal rule.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
  • What begins as a criminal case becomes a clash between the State, faith and ancestral knowledge, revealing a force the law cannot contain.
    — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 13 May 2026
Definition of faith
Noun
  • Instead, the seductive peacefulness of the house brought to her mind the contemplative sets in the BBC adaptation of Wolf Hall.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
  • Keep in mind that the Nomadix is essentially only an off-road e-moto, as it is not yet homologated for street riding.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 May 2026
Definition of mind
Noun
  • Each starts from its own axioms, and those axioms can be diametrically opposed.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
  • Trust but Verify The old Ronald Regan axiom is so true for business.
    — Domenic Rom, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2026
Definition of axiom
Noun
  • That would, in their view, allow for more teams to reach the field based on strength of schedule instead of conference affiliation.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
  • Bates also expressed concern that, under the Administration’s view of the case, its determination that the Presidential Records Act is unconstitutional cannot be challenged in court.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
Definition of view
Noun
  • But in business, certainty rarely comes.
    — Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
  • Still, this may be an election where some of the certainties of the two-party system are rewritten.
    — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
Definition of certainty
Noun
  • In December 2025, the FBI announced rewards for information leading to Lee’s arrest and conviction, as well as the recovery of the children.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2026
  • Perhaps the shocking recent news of Alex Murdaugh’s convictions being overturned will spark voter interest in the Hulu true-crime miniseries.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
Definition of conviction

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belief
beliefs
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Cite this Entry

“Belief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belief. Accessed 20 May. 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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