believe
verb
be·lieve
bə-ˈlēv 
believed; believing; believes
1
a
: to consider to be true or honest
believe the reports
you wouldn't believe how long it took
… should hire a few more … people who know which questions to ask and which assertions not to believe …—
David Kestenbaum
—often used for emphasisDavid KestenbaumCan you believe what just happened?
It's hard to believe he's gone.
b
: to accept the word or evidence of
I believe you.
couldn't believe my ears
He says he'll help, but I don't believe him.
—often used for emphasisBelieve me, you've never seen anything like it.
2
: to hold as an opinion : suppose
I believe it will rain soon.
… I do believe the Captain heard me, for his head snapped up …—James McBride
James McBrideWe were led to believe it was true [=we heard, saw, or read something that made us think it was true]
1
a
: to accept something as true, genuine, or real
ideals we believe in
believes in ghosts
b
: to have a firm or wholehearted religious conviction or persuasion : to regard the existence of God or a deity as a fact
Do you believe?
She went to church all her life, but didn't really believe until she was older.
—usually used with inbelieve in the Scriptures
2
: to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of someone or something
believe in exercise
You can do it, we believe in you!
3
: to hold an opinion : think
inclined to believe as their parents did
believer
noun
see also:
Examples of believe in a Sentence
I have watched the many ways that teachers demonstrate pleasure in what students have said or done. I used to believe that teachers needed to present a stoic face for fear of losing control—as if smiling caused bad behavior.
—Nancy Mack, English Journal, September 2008
Scientists kept a close eye on Mount Saint Helens. The volcano in Washington State spewed steam and ash throughout the month, leading experts to believe that it could erupt at any time.
—Time For Kids, 17 Dec. 2004
They parted as casually as any friends who believe they will meet in a few days. But each knew the other was in deadly peril of his life.
—Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain, 1943
The scientists believed the reports.
Many people seem to believe that theory, but I find it hard to believe.
You shouldn't believe everything you read.
He says he'll help us, but I don't believe what he says.
They were tricked into believing that he was a doctor.
He says he'll help us, but I don't believe him.
She went to church because her family expected it, but she didn't really believe.
Nancy Mack, English Journal, September 2008
Scientists kept a close eye on Mount Saint Helens. The volcano in Washington State spewed steam and ash throughout the month, leading experts to believe that it could erupt at any time.
—Time For Kids, 17 Dec. 2004
They parted as casually as any friends who believe they will meet in a few days. But each knew the other was in deadly peril of his life.
—Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain, 1943
The scientists believed the reports.
Many people seem to believe that theory, but I find it hard to believe.
You shouldn't believe everything you read.
He says he'll help us, but I don't believe what he says.
They were tricked into believing that he was a doctor.
He says he'll help us, but I don't believe him.
She went to church because her family expected it, but she didn't really believe.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nam Deuk-woo, fire chief of the city's Daedeok district, said authorities were searching for at least 14 other people believed to have been inside the facility when the fire broke out.
—Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto/Getty CNN first reported on the incident and said the jet was believed to have been hit by Iranian fire.
—CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
That's a good thing since Booker said that Texas coach Vic Schaefer believes players should have at least two weeks to break in a new pair of shoes.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 21 Mar. 2026
Kefir is the wild child of the yogurt family—the drinkable liquid is super gut friendly, and is believed to lower inflammation throughout the body.
—Jahnavi Rapaka, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for believe
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto/Getty CNN first reported on the incident and said the jet was believed to have been hit by Iranian fire.
—CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
That's a good thing since Booker said that Texas coach Vic Schaefer believes players should have at least two weeks to break in a new pair of shoes.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 21 Mar. 2026
Kefir is the wild child of the yogurt family—the drinkable liquid is super gut friendly, and is believed to lower inflammation throughout the body.
—Jahnavi Rapaka, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for believe
Cite this Entry
“Believe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/believe. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
believe
verb
be·lieve
bə-ˈlēv
believed; believing
1
: to have a firm religious faith
2
: to have faith or confidence in the existence or worth of
believe in ghosts
believe in regular exercise
3
: to accept as true
believe the reports
4
: to accept the word or evidence of
they believed us
I could hardly believe my ears
5
: to hold as an opinion : think
believe it will rain
believable
adjective
-ˈlē-və-bəl
believably
adverb
-blē
believer
noun
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