believed; believing
1
a
: to consider to be true or honest
believe the reports
you wouldn't believe how long it took
b
: to accept the word or evidence of
I believe you
couldn't believe my ears
2
: to hold as an opinion : suppose
I believe it will rain soon
1
a
: to accept something as true, genuine, or real
ideals we believe in
believes in ghosts
b
: to have a firm or wholehearted religious conviction or persuasion : to regard the existence of God as a fact
Do you believe?
—usually used with inbelieve in the Scriptures
2
: to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something
believe in exercise
3
: to hold an opinion : think
I believe so
believer
noun
Examples of believe in a Sentence
I have watched the many ways that teachers demonstrate pleasure in what students have said or done. I used to believe that teachers needed to present a stoic face for fear of losing control—as if smiling caused bad behavior.
—
Nancy Mack, English Journal, September 2008
Scientists kept a close eye on Mount Saint Helens. The volcano in Washington State spewed steam and ash throughout the month, leading experts to believe that it could erupt at any time.
—Time For Kids, 17 Dec. 2004
They parted as casually as any friends who believe they will meet in a few days. But each knew the other was in deadly peril of his life.
—Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain, 1943
The scientists believed the reports.
Many people seem to believe that theory, but I find it hard to believe.
You shouldn't believe everything you read.
He says he'll help us, but I don't believe what he says.
They were tricked into believing that he was a doctor.
He says he'll help us, but I don't believe him.
She went to church because her family expected it, but she didn't really believe.
Nancy Mack, English Journal, September 2008
Scientists kept a close eye on Mount Saint Helens. The volcano in Washington State spewed steam and ash throughout the month, leading experts to believe that it could erupt at any time.
—Time For Kids, 17 Dec. 2004
They parted as casually as any friends who believe they will meet in a few days. But each knew the other was in deadly peril of his life.
—Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain, 1943
The scientists believed the reports.
Many people seem to believe that theory, but I find it hard to believe.
You shouldn't believe everything you read.
He says he'll help us, but I don't believe what he says.
They were tricked into believing that he was a doctor.
He says he'll help us, but I don't believe him.
She went to church because her family expected it, but she didn't really believe.
Recent Examples on the Web
In any case, hawks in Tehran believe that the Gaza war has given their alliance the upper hand, and that the only way for Israel to alter the situation is to engineer a broader regional conflict.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2024
The motive for the shooting is under investigation, but police believe the victim and the suspect knew each other.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2024
The author believes nobody would read a 280-page book on the history and society of Iran.
—Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 27 Apr. 2024
Other veterans are frustrated by the VA’s long process to recognize their illnesses and believe they were sickened by exposure at Fort Ord.
—Hannah Norman and Patricia Kime, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024
About three-quarters of American adults believe widespread legalization of sports betting will only make that problem worse.
—Nick Rockel, Fortune, 26 Apr. 2024
Pearsall, Shanahan believes, has the versatility to play outside or in the slot, plays with the physicality the 49ers demand from their wide receivers and can also return punts.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024
American leaders believe those exports could undercut U.S. manufacturing, particularly the new factories making semiconductors, solar panels and car batteries that the Biden administration is investing tens of billions of dollars in this year.
—Vivian Wang, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024
Entertaining tip: Bille Brahe believes that the more generous a host is, the better the energy of the evening.
—Gisela Williams, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024
Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2024
The motive for the shooting is under investigation, but police believe the victim and the suspect knew each other.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2024
The author believes nobody would read a 280-page book on the history and society of Iran.
—Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 27 Apr. 2024
Other veterans are frustrated by the VA’s long process to recognize their illnesses and believe they were sickened by exposure at Fort Ord.
—Hannah Norman and Patricia Kime, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024
About three-quarters of American adults believe widespread legalization of sports betting will only make that problem worse.
—Nick Rockel, Fortune, 26 Apr. 2024
Pearsall, Shanahan believes, has the versatility to play outside or in the slot, plays with the physicality the 49ers demand from their wide receivers and can also return punts.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024
American leaders believe those exports could undercut U.S. manufacturing, particularly the new factories making semiconductors, solar panels and car batteries that the Biden administration is investing tens of billions of dollars in this year.
—Vivian Wang, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024
Entertaining tip: Bille Brahe believes that the more generous a host is, the better the energy of the evening.
—Gisela Williams, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'believe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near believe
Cite this Entry
“Believe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/believe. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
believe
verb
be·lieve
bə-ˈlēv 
believed; believing
1
: to have a firm religious faith
2
: to have faith or confidence in the existence or worth of
believe in ghosts
believe in regular exercise
3
: to accept as true
believe the reports
4
: to accept the word or evidence of
they believed us
I could hardly believe my ears
5
: to hold as an opinion : think
believe it will rain
believable
adjective
-ˈlē-və-bəl
believably
adverb
-blē
believer
noun
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