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 At the core of Waller’s hopes for easing is a belief that inflation will ease further as the year goes on, despite several months’ of data showing stickiness in some key prices. —

Jeff Cox, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2025 Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard has been outspoken about his faith and belief in God during his collegiate career. —

Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 16 Jan. 2025 In a statement to People, Underwood made no mention of politics or her personal beliefs, referring to the performance instead as an act of patriotism. —

Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 15 Jan. 2025 What unites them is their belief in being real in a world that’s becoming more and more virtual and their commitment to using personal branding to support their clients. —

William Arruda, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for belief

Recent Examples of Synonyms for belief

Noun

President-elect Donald Trump's Mideast envoy joined the talks in the final weeks, and both the outgoing administration and Trump's team are taking credit for the breakthrough.

— Bradford Betz, Fox News, 16 Jan. 2025
The new President is already taking credit for the ceasefire that Israel and Hamas have agreed, which is due to start from Sunday.

— Ian Bremmer, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025