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nonbeliever

nonbeliever

14 5.2
A person who does not believe in God or in any religion
  • noun
  • /ˌnɒn.bɪˈliː.vər/
translation icon : no creyente
  • Atheists, humanists, agnostics, nonbelievers—however they might refer to themselves—have learned that they're not alone.
  • believers and nonbelievers
  • baptized nonbelievers
  • religious believers and nonbelievers

Examples

  • Liberals are optimistic about the prospects for world order and see little difference between Christians and nonbelievers.

    Academic text (2006)
  • It's difficult for nonbelievers to understand just how intimidating and coercive such measures can be.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Can one believe a nonbeliever?

  • Well, what can you expect from a nonbeliever?

  • To nonbelievers, it's all crazy.

  • Victor Fargas is a nonbeliever.

  • As a nonbeliever, she often questioned the teachings of the church.

  • The nonbeliever expressed doubts about the existence of a higher power.

  • At the meeting, a nonbeliever shared his perspective on faith and spirituality.

Synonyms

atheist
vsnonbeliever
428 4.1

A person who does not believe in any god

is broader and not limited to disbelief about gods alone
skeptic
vsnonbeliever
  • US
77 4.1

A person who often doubts accepted ideas and asks for proof

is an outright lack of belief instead of habitual questioning
unbeliever
vsnonbeliever
21 5.4

A person who does not accept a religion, idea, or set of teachings

is the same but also stresses doubt about divinity specifically
disbeliever
vsnonbeliever
4 5.5

A person who does not accept an idea or religion

is broader and covers lack of belief in ideas religions or divinity
nonreligious
vsnonbeliever
4.6

A person who does not follow or belong to any religion

is about rejecting belief rather than only lacking practice or membership
nonreligious person
vsnonbeliever
3.9

A person who does not believe in any god or take part in worship

is about disbelief rather than merely absence of practice or devotion

Antonyms

343 3.2

A person who accepts something as true and often supports it, for example a religion or idea

54 4.5

People who are loyal followers of a religion or leader

How Believing

devotee
25 6.0
believer
343 3.2
agnostic
8 7.2
skeptic
  • US
77 4.1
nonbeliever
14 5.2
atheist
428 4.1

Surface Forms

nonbeliever singular
nonbelievers plural

Morphology

nonbeliever = believer (transparent) = non + believe + er

The prefix 'non-' simply negates the noun 'believer', producing the straightforward meaning 'not a believer'.

Etymology

The word nonbeliever begins with non- ('not') and ends with believer, from believe meaning 'to accept as true'. So, a nonbeliever is a person who 'does not accept' a particular idea or religion.