belief
noun
be·lief bə-ˈlēf 
1
: a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing
her belief in God
a belief in democracy
I bought the table in the belief that it was an antique.
contrary to popular belief
2
: something that is accepted, considered to be true, or held as an opinion : something believed
an individual's religious or political beliefs
especially : a tenet or body of tenets held by a group
the beliefs of the Catholic Church
3
: conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon especially when based on examination of evidence
belief in the validity of scientific statements
Synonyms
- credence
- credit
- faith
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
There is growing belief that these policies will not succeed. He gets angry if anyone challenges his religious beliefs. We challenged his beliefs about religion.
Recent Examples on the Web The fact that Adobe was willing to pay so much for Figma reflects that belief that its software was fundamentally different, according to Mr. Saper. 
Steven Rosenbush, WSJ, 15 Sep. 2022 The Diamondbacks have a pitcher already on their staff whose experience might support that belief. Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 14 Sep. 2022 Now a group of paleontologists at the University of Tübingen’s Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Paleoenvironment have overturned that belief. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 9 Sep. 2022 Nearly everything that has pushed us closer to the emerging political dangers of the past two years flows from that absurdist belief. Jelani Cobb, The New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2022 The offseason and training camp gave him that belief. Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 That belief is also a fulcrum of the organic movement, the vegan movement, and many advocates of regenerative agriculture. Luke Winkie, Bon Appétit, 31 Aug. 2022 Somehow, the kid from French Lick had an uncanny belief in himself, no matter what others said. Dana Hunsinger Benbow, USA TODAY, 22 Aug. 2022 Somehow, the kid from French Lick had an uncanny belief in himself, no matter what others said. The Indianapolis Star, 18 Aug. 2022 See More
Steven Rosenbush, WSJ, 15 Sep. 2022 The Diamondbacks have a pitcher already on their staff whose experience might support that belief. Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 14 Sep. 2022 Now a group of paleontologists at the University of Tübingen’s Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Paleoenvironment have overturned that belief. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 9 Sep. 2022 Nearly everything that has pushed us closer to the emerging political dangers of the past two years flows from that absurdist belief. Jelani Cobb, The New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2022 The offseason and training camp gave him that belief. Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 That belief is also a fulcrum of the organic movement, the vegan movement, and many advocates of regenerative agriculture. Luke Winkie, Bon Appétit, 31 Aug. 2022 Somehow, the kid from French Lick had an uncanny belief in himself, no matter what others said. Dana Hunsinger Benbow, USA TODAY, 22 Aug. 2022 Somehow, the kid from French Lick had an uncanny belief in himself, no matter what others said. The Indianapolis Star, 18 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English beleave, probably alteration of Old English gelēafa, from ge-, associative prefix + lēafa; akin to Old English lȳfan — more at believe
First Known Use
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing belief
Kids Definition
belief
noun
be·lief bə-ˈlēf
1
: a feeling of being sure that a person or thing exists or is true or trustworthy
belief in ghosts
belief in democracy
2
: religious faith
3
: something believed
It's my belief that our team really won.
Legal Definition
belief
noun
be·lief
: a degree of conviction of the truth of something especially based on a consideration or examination of the evidence compare knowledge, suspicion
belief
noun
1
as in faith
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
- faith
- axiom
- certainty
- assurance
- credit
- conviction
- credence
- article of faith
- principle
- tenet
- confidence
- certitude
- doctrine
- philosophy
- positiveness
- law
- precept
- dogma
- reliance
- trust
- insistence
- sureness
- dogmatism
- dependence
- hope
- fanaticism
- dependance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- doubt
- disbelief
- unbelief
- skepticism
- nonbelief
- uncertainty
- discredit
- distrust
- suspicion
- mistrust
2
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
- opinion
- mind
- view
- conviction
- feeling
- attitude
- notion
- impression
- sentiment
- perception
- judgment
- verdict
- judgement
- idea
- assumption
- persuasion
- observation
- thought
- say
- faith
- theory
- eye
- comment
- presumption
- hypothesis
- guess
- decision
- concept
- determination
- estimate
- presupposition
- viewpoint
- suggestion
- advice
- estimation
- conception
- esteem
- conjecture
- stance
- hunch
- conclusion
- recommendation
- reflection
- stand
- perspective
- remark
- take
- position
- credence
- deliverance
- standpoint
- outlook
- credit
- surmise
- input
- angle
- shoes
- slant
- obiter dictum
- counterview
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- fact
- truth
Synonym Chooser
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
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
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
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