Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Skeptical or doubting, especially regarding religious or spiritual matters: Characterized by an attitude of doubt or denial toward accepted beliefs, particularly those of a religious nature.
   • Atheistic or agnostic: Pertaining to a stance that rejects belief in gods or the supernatural.
   • Requiring proof or evidence: Inclined to question or disbelieve claims until they are substantiated.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The scientist maintained an unbelieving attitude toward claims of the paranormal.
  • He gave an unbelieving laugh when he heard the outlandish story.
  • The philosopher's unbelieving worldview was based on material evidence alone.

Advanced Usage

• "unbelieving of": Expressing doubt about a specific claim or person.
  • She was unbelieving of his promises, given his past record.
• Used to describe a general state of skepticism or a specific philosophical/religious position.
  • The debate was between believing and unbelieving scholars.

Variants and Related Words

• Unbelief (n): The state or quality of not believing, especially in religious doctrines.
  • His unbelief was a source of tension with his family.
• Unbeliever (n): A person who does not believe, especially in a particular religion or idea.
  • The sermon was aimed at converting unbelievers.
• Disbelieving (adj): Often used similarly to express active doubt or refusal to believe a specific fact. (Note: "disbelieving" can be more immediate, while "unbelieving" can describe a more settled state of mind or worldview.)

Synonyms

• Skeptical: Having doubts or reservations.
• Atheistic: Disbelieving or lacking belief in the existence of God or gods.
• Agnostic: Believing that the existence of God or the supernatural is unknown or unknowable.
• Incredulous: Unwilling or unable to believe something.

Antonyms

• Believing: Accepting something as true, especially religious faith.
• Credulous: Having or showing too great a readiness to believe things.
• Faithful: Loyal and steadfast in belief.

Related Phrases

• An unbelieving stare: A look that clearly shows doubt or skepticism.
  • She met his extravagant claim with an unbelieving stare.
• To remain unbelieving: To continue to hold a position of doubt.
  • Despite the evidence presented, the jury remained unbelieving.

Adjective

1. denying or questioning the tenets of especially a religion
   • a skeptical approach to the nature of miracles
2. holding that only material phenomena can be known and knowledge of spiritual matters or ultimate causes is impossible
3. rejecting any belief in gods