belied: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “belied” mean?
to give a false impression of.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to give a false impression of; to show something to be false or inconsistent with.
To fail to give a true notion or impression of something; to disguise or contradict the true nature of something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in British English due to a higher frequency in formal/literary writing.
Connotations
Connotes contradiction, deception, or hidden truth. Neutral in tone, but the situation described is often negative (e.g., a smile belying anger).
Frequency
Uncommon in casual conversation in both varieties, but used with comparable frequency in formal writing.
Grammar
How to Use “belied” in a Sentence
[Subject] belied [Object][Appearance/Expression] belied [Inner state/Truth]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “belied” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Her gentle demeanour belied a fierce competitive spirit.
- The sunny weather belied the forecast of afternoon storms.
American English
- His confident tone belied his nervousness.
- The company's strong brand image belied its financial troubles.
adverb
British English
- [N/A for 'belied' as an adverb]
American English
- [N/A for 'belied' as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [N/A for 'belied' as an adjective]
American English
- [N/A for 'belied' as an adjective]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in analytical reports: 'The initial sales figures belied the underlying weakness of the market.'
Academic
Used in critiques or analyses: 'The novel's pastoral setting belied its sharp political commentary.'
Everyday
Rare in casual talk. Possible: 'His cheerful text messages belied how upset he really was.'
Technical
Rare. Might appear in data science: 'The aggregate data belied significant regional disparities.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “belied”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “belied”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “belied”
- Using it to mean 'prove' or 'support' (the opposite meaning).
- Confusing spelling: 'beleid', 'belieded'.
- Using it in overly casual contexts where 'hid' or 'didn't show' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'belied' is the simple past tense and past participle of the verb 'belie'.
No, 'belied' is a past form. The present tense is 'belie' (e.g., His actions belie his words).
No, it's relatively uncommon and is used primarily in formal writing, journalism, and literature.
There is no direct, commonly used noun. The concept is expressed with phrases like 'a contradiction' or 'a discrepancy'.
to give a false impression of.
Belied is usually formal/literary in register.
Belied: in British English it is pronounced /bɪˈlaɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɪˈlaɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[no common idioms, the verb is used literally]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: a LIE is hidden Behind (BE-LIE-d) the appearance.
Conceptual Metaphor
APPEARANCE IS A DECEPTIVE COVER (The surface is a false layer over the truth).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'belied' most accurately mean in this sentence: 'The arid landscape belied the region's rich underground aquifers.'?