unbelieving

/ˌʌnbɪˈliːvɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [ˌʌnbəlˈivɪŋ] /ˌʌnbɪˈliːvɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [ˌʌnbəlˈivɪŋ] /ˌən-bə-ˈlē-viŋ How to pronounce unbelieving (audio)/ (ame, mw)

unbelieving — adjective

  • unbelievingpositive
  • more unbelievingcomparative
  • most unbelievingsuperlative

1. your face, voice, or behaviour openly reveals your refusal to accept what anothe

1.形容詞B2
釋義

your face, voice, or behaviour openly reveals your refusal to accept what another person says as true or real.

例句

Shanti listened to the rumour with an unbelieving frown, shaking her head slowly.

unbelieving + noun (frown, look, expression)

Theo's grandmother gave him an unbelieving stare when he said he saw a bear in the garden.

同義詞
  • skeptical

    more common; suggests a questioning or doubting attitude rather than a visible expression

  • incredulous

    stronger and more formal; implies being unable to believe because something is shocking or surprising

  • dubious

    suggests doubt or hesitation about the truth of something, often in a quieter way

反義詞
  • believing

    straightforward opposite; accepting something as true

  • trusting

    implies willingness to believe without proof

文法句型

unbelieving + noun

be + unbelieving

用法筆記

Commonly used to describe facial expressions (look, stare, frown, glance) or tone of voice. The adjective is typically attributive before a noun or predicative after verbs like be, seem, look.

常見錯誤

❌She was unbelieving in his story.
✅She gave him an unbelieving look.
💡'unbelieving' describes someone's expression or attitude, not a belief about a specific claim.
❌I am unbelieving that he will come.
✅I doubt that he will come.
💡For introducing a that-clause about doubt, use 'doubt' or 'skeptical', not 'unbelieving'.

2. not believing in any god or religion, or not following the religious practices o

2.形容詞B2
釋義

not believing in any god or religion, or not following the religious practices of a particular faith.

例句

Antonia grew up in a devout household but became unbelieving after studying philosophy at university.

became + unbelieving (change of state)

After the disaster the priest comforted both believing and unbelieving members of the community.

the unbelieving (as a noun group)

同義詞
  • non-religious

    more neutral and common; describes someone who simply does not practise religion

  • atheist

    stronger and more specific; describes someone who actively denies the existence of any god

  • agnostic

    describes someone who believes nothing can be known about whether God exists

反義詞
  • believing

    opposite; having religious faith

  • devout

    implies strong, committed religious practice

  • pious

    implies devoted religious observance, sometimes with a hint of showiness

文法句型

unbelieving + noun

the unbelieving

用法筆記

This sense is more formal and less common than 'non-religious' or 'atheist'. It can be used as an attributive adjective ('an unbelieving parent') or in a noun-group pattern ('the unbelieving'). Unlike the first sense, this sense does not describe a momentary reaction — it describes a stable worldview or identity.

常見錯誤

❌My uncle is an unbelieving and does not go to mosque.
✅My uncle is unbelieving and does not go to mosque.
💡'unbelieving' is an adjective; do not use it as a count noun ('an unbelieving'). Use 'the unbelieving' only as a general group.