unbelieving

adjective

ˌən-bə-ˈlē-viŋ How to pronounce unbelieving (audio)
Definition of unbelievingnext
as in skeptical
inclined to doubt or question claims unbelieving scientists who demand that all phenomena be subjected to rigorous scientific scrutiny

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 unbelieving One day, the elusive Seth meets the equally alluring but totally living doctor Maggie (Meg Ryan), who is suspicious and unbelieving of the mystical wonders of this world. — Nathan Smith, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2024 As punishment, God confines them to the desert for 40 years, until the unbelieving generation ... — Madeleine Kearns, National Review, 10 Sep. 2023 He was told that unbelieving boys and girls in short dresses and naked arms met in these places and fell in love. — The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2022 Discipleship, ministry and mission all happened in homes as families lived out their faith in Jesus in the midst of an unbelieving world. — The Rev. Bill Thomas, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, 12 Dec. 2020 The story centers on two scientists who, upon discovering that a meteor will strike the Earth in six months, go on a media tour to try to warn the world but find an unreceptive and unbelieving populace. — Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unbelieving
  1. skeptical
  2. suspicious
  3. cautious
  4. incredulous
Adjective
  • Deeply skeptical of his diplomatic attempts with Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could view the president’s comments as an opening to continue operations both in Lebanon, against Hezbollah, or in Iran itself.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
  • As recently as last year, the bank’s executives were skeptical that ventures known for such voracious capital spending would be able to sustain their business models.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 July 2026
Definition of skeptical
Adjective
  • Nile finds himself in a cat-and-mouse dynamic with his new neighbor (Claire Danes), an author in search of her next book subject who is suspicious of his innocence.
    — Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • But by playing coy about next steps, Hamas has given observers and critics plenty of reasons to be suspicious about this latest development.
    — Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 8 July 2026
Definition of suspicious
Adjective
  • Consumer confidence ticked up in June after weeks of anxiety tied to the conflict, though people remain cautious as worries about jobs and prices persist.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026
  • Gymshark’s growth has slowed as competition has intensified and consumers have become more cautious about spending.
    — Robert Olsen, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • On several occasions throughout the game, Lakers players were incredulous after calls – or non-calls – from the crew.
    — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
  • On several occasions, Lakers players were incredulous after calls — or no-calls — from the crew.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026
Definition of incredulous

Browse Nearby Words

unbelievers
unbelieving
unbelievingly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unbelieving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unbelieving. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of tacit

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All