belie Definition
be·lie (bē lī′, bi-)
transitive verb -·lied′, -·ly′·ing
- Archaic to tell lies about
- to give a false idea of; disguise or misrepresent his smile belies his anger
- to leave unfulfilled; disappoint war belied hopes for peace
- to show to be untrue; prove false her cruelty belied her kind words
Etymology: ME bilien < OE beleogan, to deceive by lying < be-, be- + leogan, lie
belie Related Forms
be·li′er noun
belie Synonyms
belie
v.
belie Usage Examples
Object
- complexity: The outer surface ( or dial ) belies the complexity of what is going on inside.
- interior: However, like a theme that comes out strongly in Pelter's haibun, the surface belies the interior.
- fact: The date of the bridge - 2000 AD - belies the fact that the canal itself is almost 200 years old!
- reality: Sunday dawned bright and sunny and this shot belies the reality of the water levels.
- belief: No, it's the studious depth of research into each of their songs ' subject matters that belies belief.
- claim: Moore also belied claims that food derived from biotech plants are not safe for human consumption.
Used with why or when
- what: This standard looking MG belies what 's under the bonnet.
- when: Yet this fragile analogy is belied when we seek for analogs of other tangible symbols of mass production.
Preposition: by
fact: Its appearance of massive solidity was, belied by the facts.
Modifying Another Word
- somewhat: Like ' Menace ' it has undeniable style and flair which somewhat belies the sledgehammer subtle social agenda.
- completely: In many cases their volume was pushed so hard as to completely belie Dixon's statement about good blend.
- almost: Pevensey Castle may bear witness to a troublesome past but its current tranquility almost belies the existence of such an age.
- rather: Moreover, Pilate seemed ready to yield to pressure, rather belying his reputation for being deliberately antagonistic.
- often: But, the level of work being produced often belies the levels of funding.
- also: The appalling persecution of Iraqis seeking asylum in Britain also belies our government's supposed concern for their welfare.
Browse dictionary entries near belie
- ‹ Belial
- ‹ Belgravia
- ‹ Belgrade
- ‹ Belgorod
- ‹ Belgium
- ‹ Belgic
- ‹ Belgian sheepdog
- ‹ Belgian option
- ‹ Belgian hare
- ‹ Belgian Congo
- belief ›
- believable ›
- believe ›
- believe in ›
- believer ›
- believing ›
- belike ›
- Belinda ›
- Belisarius ›
- belittle ›

