BELIEF Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

belief

noun

bə-ˈlēf

Definition of belief next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

fact
truth

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

Examples 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 The report concluded that the officers’ actions were reasonable under the belief that Gonsalez posed an imminent threat to safety. —

Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024 Meanwhile, Dimon’s wife is free to make independent political endorsements based on her own beliefs. —

Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024 Khoury also managed to show The Substance and The Room Next Door in El Gouna and Cairo, which are unlikely to get past censors for a general release, with the latter title challenging local beliefs against euthanasia in largely Muslim Egypt. —

Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024 With emotions running so high, any public expression of one’s beliefs entails certain risks. —

Brian Lowry, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for belief

Recent Examples of Synonyms for belief

Noun

On his confidence: That’s just a credit to having great teammates, trusting me, picking me up.

Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
The filing also details the company's credit agreement, which includes a $300 million term loan and a $50 million revolving credit facility.

Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024