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Visual memory aid for Belie

Belie

To give a false impression of; to misrepresent; to fail to fulfill a promise or expectation

verb
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Imagine This

If someone lies, he or she must not be telling the truth (in other words, to give a false idea). Usually, he or she will fail to fulfill a promise.

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Sounds Like

bih-LY

👀

Looks Like

Believe (visually similar; belIe is resembleBelieve without the 've')

📝

Remember This

Do not confuse bel ie with believe; bel ie means misrepresent, whereas believe means accept as true.

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Other Forms

beliesverb, present tense (3rd person singular)
beliedverb, past tense
beliedverb, past participle
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Connect With

misrepresent, contradict, disguise, mask, distort

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Note

Belie is often used with evidence, appearances, or promises to indicate that what is shown does not reflect the truth. Common mistake: thinking bel ie means 'believe'.

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Study Deeper

Examples
  • The data belies the theory of rapid growth.
  • Her calm exterior belies her anxiety.
Synonyms
contradictmisrepresentdistortdisguisemask
Antonyms
revealuncoverconfirm
Etymology

From be- + lie; from Middle English belien (to misrepresent).

Mnemonic

BE-LIE: Remember that belies means to lie about the truth—the word literally contains 'lie' with a be- prefix.

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