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

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 Conference-goers are here to sample and peruse the shifting practices of the nation’s market for metaphysical beliefs. — Sam Kestenbaum, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026 So did the belief that scale in the asset management business matters more than ever. — Scott Wapner, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026 In making determinations, the office considers general standards of decency and respect for the diverse beliefs and values of the citizens of Texas. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2026 Those predictions can involve your health, finances, religious beliefs and potential vulnerabilities. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for belief

Recent Examples of Synonyms for belief

Noun

Higher revenue and lower credit losses also supported earnings.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
To their credit, both Aikman and Buck are pros on air and the quality of the ESPN MNF broadcasts since this has become public remains the same, which includes the Cowboys at Eagles on Monday night.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of credit

Noun

The November election won't settle the tension between firearm freedoms and restrictions, but ballot questions in the two states will provide a gauge of public opinion.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
The November election won't settle the tension between firearm freedoms and restrictions, but the ballot questions will provide a gauge of public opinion.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of opinion

Noun

Standing in the cereal aisle with a cart full of hungry kids on your mind, that price gap between the name-brand box and the one right next to it hits different these days.

— Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2026
The high cost of healthcare is hitting Minnesotans hard, and the issue is top of mind for many voters just eight days before the midterm elections.

— Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of mind

Noun

The second axiom of quantum mechanics is called the measurement postulate.

— Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
What motivates voters Extensive research confirms the axiom that a sense of civic duty is the strongest predictor of whether someone will vote.

— Christopher Miller, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of axiom

Noun

Someone can always point to a fringe view that’s backed up by a different source somewhere on the Internet.

— Gavin Francis, The New York Review of Books, 24 Oct. 2026
One of the two fake videos racked up roughly 857,000 views within 24 hours, according to an analysis by Alethea, a threat intelligence company.

— Shannon Bond, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of view

Noun

But every business partner of Musk must be thinking that certainty may not be possible when dealing with the world's wealthiest person.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
The deal gives the Timberwolves another year of cost certainty in managing future salary caps around the next maximum contracts anticipated for star guards Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball.

— CBS News, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of certainty

Noun

Simmons said prosecutors in Guatemala were integral in securing convictions for Miranda Orozco and others.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
The Florida Supreme Court later overturned the conviction due to a conflict of interest with the prosecutor and ordered a new trial.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of conviction

Browse Nearby Words

belied

belief

beliefs

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Style

“Belief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belief. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of belief

noun

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