Understanding “Believes”: Definition, Synonyms, and Usage
believes – Definition and Part of Speech
Definition: The word believes is a verb that refers to accepting something as true or having faith in its truthfulness. It conveys trust or confidence in the validity of an idea, fact, or proposition.
Part of Speech: Verb
Grammatical Forms:
- Base form: believe
- Third person singular present: believes
- Past simple: believed
- Present participle/gerund: believing
- Past participle: believed
Core Synonyms (Table Format)
Below is a list of primary synonyms for believes, highlighting their nuances and example usages across various contexts:
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| trusts | Emphasizes confidence in reliability or integrity | “She trusts that the information is accurate.” | Informal/Formal |
| thinks | Suggests a personal opinion or consideration | “He thinks it’s possible to succeed.” | Casual/Conversational |
| opines | Indicates expressing an opinion, often formal | “The professor opines that further research is needed.” | Formal/Academic |
| is convinced | Implies certainty and strong personal assurance | “She is convinced of her team’s capability to win.” | Informal/Emphatic |
| maintains | Suggests holding onto a belief despite doubt | “He maintains that the policy will benefit everyone in the long run.” | Formal/Neutral |
Usage Notes
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Trusting someone or something involves an element of faith beyond mere acceptance; it’s often used when referring to people or systems.
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Business context: “The board trusts the CFO’s judgment on financial decisions.”
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Thinking is versatile and less formal, commonly employed in everyday language for expressing ideas.
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Casual conversation: “I think this movie will be great!”
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Opining typically appears in academic or professional settings where opinions are shared authoritatively.
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Academic paper: “The economist opines that current trends suggest a recession.”
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Being convinced is more intense than merely believing, often used when there’s strong certainty.
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Creative writing: “He was utterly convinced his discovery would change the world.”
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Maintaining one’s belief highlights persistence in opinion or stance even amid opposition or doubt.
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Debate context: “Despite evidence to the contrary, she maintains her position.”
Common Pitfalls
One common mistake is confusing believes with similar verbs like thinks, which may seem interchangeable but differ slightly. While both imply acceptance of an idea’s truth, thinks often carries a more personal or tentative nuance compared to the straightforward assertion in believes.
Moreover, while opines and maintains might sound sophisticated, their use should be reserved for contexts where formality and specificity are key, avoiding overly casual settings.
Final Recap
To summarize, “believes” can be interchangeably used with words like “trusts,” “thinks,” “opines,” “is convinced,” and “maintains,” each bringing its own shade of meaning:
- Trusts emphasizes confidence or reliance.
- Thinks suggests a personal viewpoint or consideration.
- Opines involves expressing an opinion, often formally.
- Is convinced denotes certainty and assurance.
- Maintains indicates holding onto a belief steadfastly.
Understanding these nuances will enrich your vocabulary and precision in communication. Practice incorporating these synonyms into your writing and conversations to gain a deeper command of the language.