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

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 Hope, in its essence, is the unwavering belief that better days lie ahead, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. —

Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 The $200 million Alex Bregman sweepstakes appeared to be coming to an end earlier this week, but now the belief is that the star infielder won't sign his contract for another week or so. —

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025 Collaborating with artists like Sarz has also further affirmed her belief in the future of music’s vibrancy. —

Dr. Brittany Chambers, Forbes, 7 Feb. 2025 The turn-of-the-century resistance to the smallpox vaccine shows us that anti-vaccine beliefs do not arise in isolation. —

Helen L. Murphey / Made By History, TIME, 29 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for belief

Recent Examples of Synonyms for belief

Noun

The governor and mayor wrestled for control and credit before and after the blockbuster event, with Pritzker and allies winning out in a tiff over host committee leadership, and the two claiming credit for the event’s success when worries about out-of-control protests did not come to pass.

— Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
The proof theatrically is that the production is a rapt and riotous collective with a long list credits all seemingly on the same wildly unpredictable page.

— Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025