What does misbeliever mean?
A misbeliever is a person who holds religious beliefs considered false, mistaken, or contrary to those of a particular authority or community. The word is principally associated with disputes within organized religion and is often used polemically to label opponents whose doctrine is rejected. It differs from an unbeliever, who does not accept a religious belief at all: a misbeliever is thought to affirm something, but the wrong thing. The term can also refer more broadly to someone whose religious allegiance has been questioned, though that usage is uncommon in modern secular English. Historically, misbelief was associated chiefly with disagreement over doctrine, especially during periods of religious controversy. Today the word survives mainly in formal theological writing, historical texts, and deliberately charged rhetoric. Its strong accusatory tone makes it unsuitable for neutral description unless the speaker clearly identifies the standpoint from which the belief is being judged.
nounA person who holds religious beliefs regarded as false or mistaken, especially by another religious authority or group.
- A person whose religious beliefs are regarded as false or erroneous.
"The controversial preacher was accused by his opponents of being a misbeliever."
"Church leaders warned the congregation against associating with misbelievers."
"The novel portrays a sincere misbeliever who cannot accept the faith of his family."
The regular plural is used when referring to several people regarded as holding false or mistaken religious beliefs.
"The writings were dismissed by orthodox critics as the work of misbelievers."
A misbeliever is not merely a sceptic: the word claims that the person has embraced the wrong belief.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does misbeliever come from?
Misbeliever is an English compound formed from the prefix mis-, meaning wrongly or incorrectly, and believe. The related noun misbelief likewise denotes a false or mistaken belief, especially in a religious context. Believe ultimately derives from Old English belīfan, while its Latin cognate credere underlies words such as credible and credit. The compound belongs to the long English tradition of forming moral and religious judgments with mis-, including words such as misdeed and misjudge.
Related word forms
How misbeliever is actually used
Chiefly a religious and theological term, now relatively uncommon. It is often polemical or judgmental, especially when used by members of an established religious group about outsiders or dissenters.
Easily confused with misbeliever
A misbeliever holds a belief considered false or erroneous, whereas an unbeliever does not accept a religious belief in the first place.
A heretic maintains beliefs contrary to the doctrine of an established religious authority, while misbeliever is the more general term for someone whose beliefs are considered mistaken.