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disbelief

American  
[dis-bi-leef] / ˌdɪs bɪˈlif /

noun

  1. the inability or refusal to believe or to accept something as true.

  2. amazement; astonishment.

    We stared at the Taj Mahal in disbelief.

idioms

  1. suspension of disbelief, the implicit convention requiring a reader, spectator, etc., to set aside their usual criteria for judging the reality or credibility of an experience in order to be be fully immersed in a fictional or fantastic reality: According to Coleridge, enlightened readers could still enjoy literature about the supernatural because of the phenomenon he named “willing suspension of disbelief.”

    The absurd plot in the last episode stretched our suspension of disbelief to the breaking point.

    According to Coleridge, enlightened readers could still enjoy literature about the supernatural because of the phenomenon he named “willing suspension of disbelief.”
disbelief British  
/ ˌdɪsbɪˈliːf /

noun

  1. refusal or reluctance to believe

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of disbelief

First recorded in 1665–75; dis- 1 + belief

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Together we stared in disbelief at the empty platform as our raspy breath reverberated around the empty room.

From Literature

The death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei brought a sense of disbelief to a nation divided over his legacy, as loyal supporters gathered in mourning and opponents celebrated his demise.

From The Wall Street Journal

Julie says she felt "disbelief that a storm could have caused so much damage, especially when the trees were ripped out of the ground".

From BBC

Maggie sarcastically asked the “kind, dear spirits” to cooperate further, and “a hailstorm of responsive knocks” rained down as the audience roared, some in disbelief, others in approval.

From Literature

"They're in a state of numbness and even disbelief but there will also be feelings of anger and guilt and fear and pain."

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.