Definition

1. Verb:
   • To hold a belief that is considered false or contrary to established doctrine, especially in a religious or ideological context.

Usage

• Verb:
  • The core meaning is to believe incorrectly or in a way that deviates from accepted orthodoxy.
  • It is a formal or literary verb, often used in historical, religious, or philosophical discussions about heresy or incorrect belief systems.
  • It is typically used intransitively (e.g., "to misbelieve") or transitively with the object being the specific belief or doctrine (e.g., "to misbelieve a dogma").

Examples

• Verb:
  • Historians study why certain groups came to misbelieve the official church teachings.
  • The philosopher argued that it is better to question than to blindly misbelieve.
  • They were accused of heresy for choosing to misbelieve.

Advanced Usage

• "to misbelieve in": To have an erroneous belief in the existence or truth of something.
  • The ancient tribe was said to misbelieve in a pantheon of cruel gods.
• Used in passive constructions to describe the state of holding false beliefs.
  • The population was misbelieved for generations before new evidence came to light.

Variants and Related Words

• Misbelief (n): A false or unorthodox belief.
  • His theories were dismissed as popular misbelief.
• Misbeliever (n): A person who holds false or unorthodox beliefs.
  • The council sought to convert the misbelievers.

Synonyms

• Err (in belief)
• Hold a heresy
• Deviate (from orthodoxy)

Antonyms

• Believe correctly
• Orthodoxly believe
• Accept (the doctrine)

Related Phrases

• To fall into misbelief: To begin to hold incorrect beliefs.
  • Without proper guidance, the community fell into misbelief.
• A misbelieving sect: A group characterized by its heterodox beliefs.
  • The king persecuted the misbelieving sect.

Verb

1. hold a false or unorthodox belief