SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
belie
verb
To contradict an appearance or suggest that something is misleading.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Contradict or give a false impression
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topMask and conceal fit an appearance hiding reality; contradict fits evidence showing an impression false.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See belie in use
Her calm voice belied the effort required to finish the speech.
The polished box could belie the unfinished state of the game inside, because its attractive cover concealed several missing components.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license