misbelief
Definition
- Noun:
- A false belief or erroneous opinion: "misbelief" refers to a belief that is incorrect or mistaken, often held despite evidence to the contrary.
- A mistaken religious belief: In a more specific sense, "misbelief" can denote a wrong or heretical religious conviction.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- His misbelief that the earth was flat persisted despite scientific proof. (He held an erroneous opinion.)
- The community was divided by a misbelief about the origins of the tradition. (A false idea influenced their actions.)
Advanced Usage
"to be under a misbelief": to hold a mistaken idea.
- She was under the misbelief that the meeting was canceled. (She wrongly thought the meeting was canceled.)
"to correct a misbelief": to dispel or rectify an incorrect belief.
- The teacher worked to correct the misbelief that all snakes are dangerous. (The teacher aimed to fix the false notion.)
Variants and Related Words
- Misbelieve (verb): to hold a false belief.
- He continues to misbelieve the rumors about his colleague. (He wrongly believes the rumors.)
- Misbeliever (noun): a person who holds a false belief.
- The misbeliever refused to accept the new evidence. (The person with the wrong belief.)
- Misbelieving (adjective): characterized by holding false beliefs.
- Her misbelieving attitude prevented her from learning the truth. (Her tendency to believe wrongly.)
Synonyms
- Error: a mistake, especially in opinion or belief.
- Delusion: a false belief held despite strong evidence against it.
- Fallacy: a mistaken belief based on unsound reasoning.
Related Idioms
"A fool's paradise": a state of happiness based on false hopes or beliefs.
- He lived in a fool's paradise, clinging to the misbelief that he would win the lottery. (He was happy due to a false belief.)
"To be led astray": to be guided into a misbelief or wrong action.
- Many were led astray by the misbelief that the product was safe. (They were misled by the false idea.)