Vocabulary Spotlight
Belie
Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To give a false impression or contradict; to fail to give a true notion of something.
“His calm demeanor belied the intense stress he was feeling.”
Pronunciation
[bih-lahy]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Contradict
Disguise
Conceal
Mask
Antonyms
Expose
Uncover
Show
Clarify
Related Words
Conceal
Word Origin
“Belie” comes from Old English “belēogan,” meaning “to deceive by lying.” It conveys a false representation or contradiction of the true nature of something.
Word Family
Verb: Belie – To give a false impression.
Adjective: Belied – Having been misrepresented or contradicted.
Mnemonics
Think of “be-lie” as “to be a lie” – belies something by not reflecting its true nature.
Industry-specific Usage
Psychology
In psychology, a person’s outward behavior may belie their internal emotions, such as smiling while feeling sad.
Business
In business, a company’s public image might belie its internal challenges, creating a misleading perception of stability.
Literature
In literature, characters may have appearances that belie their true intentions or personalities.
In Context
“Belie” is often used to describe situations where appearances contradict reality. It highlights the difference between what is seen and what is actually true.