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

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 belief The experience affirmed her beliefs that her company has a large enough base to keep growing, and that needlepointing, at least in some capacity, is here to stay. Megan Sauer, CNBC, 15 Mar. 2025 Their genuine belief in your potential likely played a big role. Glenn Llopis, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025 There’s a general belief that getting an advanced degree, such as a MBA or PhD, is a path towards higher income and more wealth. Robert Farrington, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025 Becoming great again is as easy as recovering these foundational beliefs. Matthew Scogin, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for belief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belief
Noun
  • And stick around for an end credits surprise or two.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Other credits include Big Little Lies, the Oscar-winning Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In Weill’s opinion, composers educated in the classical tradition had lost touch with the broader public and sunk into obscurantism.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Comments on opinion articles may be emailed to letters@nytimes.com.
    New York Times, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Christ True Church and the Virginia Beach baptisms Small and family-oriented, Jesus Christ True Church, 2145 NW 50th St., is a nondenominational church that’s a part of the Apostolic faith, which means it’s rooted in Pentecostal beliefs.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Yet faith, as the twentieth-century theologian Paul Tillich said, requires risk.
    Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The more Tropper thought about it, the more one actor appeared in his mind for Coop: Jon Hamm.
    Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Price upon publish date of this article: $780 What to Look for in a Crossbody Phone Bag Special features: When shopping for a crossbody phone bag, there are a few key features to keep in mind.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • There’s an old axiom in physics, which states that nature abhors a vacuum.
    Letters to the editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
  • There is a lot of axiomatics, which seems to be closer to the Greeks, but aren’t the axioms largely chosen at will?
    Simone Weil, Harper's Magazine, 2 July 2024
Noun
  • Ideally, in my view, any changes to Social Security should also help constrain the future growth of federal spending, given the current and projected growth in the budget deficit.
    Dennis W. Jansen, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Here, retailers’ views on the latest edition of Watches and Wonders. Carla Chalouhi, president and CEO, Arije Overall impression: This year was expected to be a quiet one.
    Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • For various examples and further detailed indications about the nature and use of the hidden role of certainty and uncertainty when prompting for generative AI, see my coverage at the link here.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The lack of certainty about what is leading some scholars to lose their right to study in the US is sending a chill through the international student community.
    Caroll Alvarado, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • According to a state spokesperson Weinstein remains in custody because of his Los Angeles conviction and sentence.
    Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Weinstein has been transported to New York City's Bellevue Hospital several times since he was sentenced to 23 years in prison following his conviction on rape charges in February 2020.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Belief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belief. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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