misbelieve: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareFormal, archaic, theological
Quick answer
What does “misbelieve” mean?
To hold a belief that is false or incorrect.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To hold a belief that is false or incorrect.
To believe wrongly; to have erroneous or unorthodox religious or philosophical beliefs (chiefly archaic).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Virtually no contemporary difference; the word is equally rare and archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
Archaic, often carries a formal or slightly judgmental tone, implying the belief is not just different but fundamentally wrong.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, found primarily in older religious texts or academic historical discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “misbelieve” in a Sentence
[Subject] misbelieves (that) [clause][Subject] misbelieves [prepositional phrase, e.g., in something]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “misbelieve” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The medieval council declared that those who misbelieve in the Trinity must recant.
- Do not misbelieve that the King's authority is absolute.
American English
- The early settlers accused the indigenous people of misbelieving in the nature of the soul.
- One could misbelieve that all such data is reliable.
adverb
British English
- None standard.
American English
- None standard.
adjective
British English
- None standard. The related adjective is 'misbelieving' (e.g., a misbelieving sect).
American English
- None standard. The related adjective is 'misbelieving' (e.g., misbelieving heretics).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used only in historical or theological studies discussing past heresies or doctrinal disputes.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would sound unnatural or archaic.
Technical
Not used in scientific/technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “misbelieve”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “misbelieve”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “misbelieve”
- Using it as a synonym for 'disbelieve' (to not believe at all).
- Using it in modern, informal contexts where 'get it wrong' or 'be mistaken' is more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Disbelieve' means to not believe something (e.g., I disbelieve your story). 'Misbelieve' means to believe something that is false (e.g., They misbelieved that the earth was flat).
It is not recommended, as it sounds very formal and archaic. Use phrases like 'be mistaken', 'have the wrong idea', or 'believe something wrong' instead.
The related nouns are 'misbelief' (a wrong belief) and 'misbeliever' (a person who holds a wrong belief, often religious).
They are similar. 'Misconceive' often implies a fundamental misunderstanding in forming an idea or plan. 'Misbelieve' is more specifically about holding an incorrect belief, often on matters of faith or fact.
To hold a belief that is false or incorrect.
Misbelieve is usually formal, archaic, theological in register.
Misbelieve: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪsbɪˈliːv/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪsbəˈliv/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MIS (wrongly) + BELIEVE = to believe wrongly.
Conceptual Metaphor
BELIEF IS A POSSESSION (one can hold a wrong belief/possession).
Practice
Quiz
In modern English, 'misbelieve' is best described as: