as in disbelief
refusal to accept something as true
a natural-born skeptic, she typically greets the latest conspiracy theory with head-shaking unbelief
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Recent Examples of unbelief
But in drawing upon those exact fields of study to reverse the long-term march toward unbelief, the authors appear to have missed the mechanism by which those prior discoveries eroded faith: namely, that people had staked their belief on evidence that was overturned by subsequent data.
—
Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
My own passage into and back out of unbelief—one marked by a close reading of works that earlier illiberal societies had attempted to suppress on religious grounds—has strengthened my liberal commitments.
—Christopher Beha, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
But the indirect benefits seem to reflect a posture against green energy, related to unbelief in climate change, and these lead to support for inefficient energy alternatives like nuclear and geothermal and gas-fired turbines.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
The historical abnormality of modern-day unbelief was a theme of Pope Benedict XVI’s in the years before, during, and after his pontificate.
—Katherine Howell, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023
It’s been a bit of unbelief.
—Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2021
This problem of unbelief has plagued reformers for decades.
—Ervand Abrahamian, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2016
Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
My own passage into and back out of unbelief—one marked by a close reading of works that earlier illiberal societies had attempted to suppress on religious grounds—has strengthened my liberal commitments.
—Christopher Beha, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
But the indirect benefits seem to reflect a posture against green energy, related to unbelief in climate change, and these lead to support for inefficient energy alternatives like nuclear and geothermal and gas-fired turbines.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
The historical abnormality of modern-day unbelief was a theme of Pope Benedict XVI’s in the years before, during, and after his pontificate.
—Katherine Howell, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023
It’s been a bit of unbelief.
—Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2021
This problem of unbelief has plagued reformers for decades.
—Ervand Abrahamian, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unbelief
Noun
-
Jean closes her eyes in disbelief.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Cassie, who doesn’t seem very concerned about Nate, sobs on the floor in disbelief, covered in blood and shocked that someone could disrupt what should be the perfect end to her evening.—
Zoe Papelis,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
So far, that skepticism has appeared justified.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
There’s plenty of skepticism that would or could ever take place.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Salt Lake County district attorney’s office and the Draper City prosecutor both declined to file charges against Paul in April, citing insufficient evidence to prove allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.—
Senior Television,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
There’s a bit of bad dream and doubt, and a bit of songwriting tips and tricks.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unbelief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unbelief. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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