FAITH Synonyms: 129 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'faith' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of faith are belief , credence , and credit . While all these words mean "assent to the truth of something offered for acceptance," faith almost always implies certitude even where there is no evidence or proof. // an unshakable faith in God

Q: When can 'belief' be used instead of 'faith'?

While the synonyms belief and faith are close in meaning, belief may or may not imply certitude in the believer. // my belief that I had caught all the errors

Q: When is 'credence' a more appropriate choice than 'faith'?

Although the words credence and faith have much in common, credence suggests intellectual assent without implying anything about grounds for assent. // a theory now given credence by scientists

Q: When is it sensible to use 'credit' instead of 'faith'?

While in some cases nearly identical to faith , credit may imply assent on grounds other than direct proof. // gave full credit to the statement of a reputable witness

faith

noun

ˈfāth

Definition of faith

as in religion

belief and trust in and loyalty to God a people who are known for their strong and steadfast faith

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as in cult

a body of beliefs and practices regarding the supernatural and the worship of one or more deities the city of Jerusalem is sacred to three faiths: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism

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as in allegiance

adherence to something to which one is bound by a pledge or duty after they had to declare bankruptcy, the family found out how much faith their friends had

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as in confidence

firm belief in the integrity, ability, effectiveness, or genuineness of someone or something never having had much faith in banks, the old miser kept his money under the mattress

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as in belief

mental conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon she has complete faith that the universe is controlled by a benevolent Supreme Being with a master plan

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word faith different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of faith are belief, credence, and credit. While all these words mean "assent to the truth of something offered for acceptance," faith almost always implies certitude even where there is no evidence or proof.

an unshakable faith in God

When can belief be used instead of faith?

While the synonyms belief and faith are close in meaning, belief may or may not imply certitude in the believer.

my belief that I had caught all the errors

When is credence a more appropriate choice than faith?

Although the words credence and faith have much in common, credence suggests intellectual assent without implying anything about grounds for assent.

a theory now given credence by scientists

When is it sensible to use credit instead of faith?

While in some cases nearly identical to faith, credit may imply assent on grounds other than direct proof.

gave full credit to the statement of a reputable witness

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of faith The film carries a psychosexual undertone and touches on depression, identity and faith. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 Prince was indeed one of only one, a legendary artist and master musician with unprecedented style, faith, courage, dignity and brilliance. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026 Additionally, eight other states have already taken a leap of faith by approving plug-in solar legislation, with Utah becoming the first state to legalize the practice in 2025. — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 When their ailing mother comes to live with them, old resentments resurface, forcing both women to confront grief, faith, ambition, and the fragile bonds that hold a family together. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for faith

Recent Examples of Synonyms for faith

Noun

Galliano retreated from public life for two years and was found guilty by a Paris court of public insults based on religion, race and ethnicity.

— Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2026
The scholar of religion Friedrich Max Müller (1823–1900) noticed that many Vedic hymns praise different deities using the same superlatives and ascribe to them the same mythological feats.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of religion

Noun

But when al-Baghdadi announced in April 2013 that the Nusra Front would be folded into the Islamic State group, al-Sharaa refused and pledged allegiance to al-Qaida’s Ayman al-Zawahiri instead.

— Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Many New Yorkers who remained behind British lines during the war were not supporters of the Revolution, but in naming their son after George Washington, the Irvings declared their allegiance.

— Eric Lach, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of allegiance

Noun

In the spring, Newcastle would have listened to offers for Yoane Wissa, whose £55m signing from Brentford had proved calamitous, yet the DR Congo forward returned from the World Cup full of confidence and has begun the campaign well.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
That confidence is reflected in the scale of One Beverly Hills.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of confidence

Noun

Just as a market will theoretically arrive at the optimal price for a good that reflects the interests of many agents, trading in predictions could distill research, observation, and belief into actionable odds.

— Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
It's rooted in our belief that, regardless of where Corning shares are coming from, regaining upside momentum will be extremely difficult in the near-term.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of belief

Noun

But without independent oversight into such decisions, oversight that Syria has yet to establish, centralization could also revive the Assad-era practice of offering economic access as a reward for political loyalty.

— Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
The Basij run a nationwide network of volunteers who maintain a presence in the streets, government offices and cultural centers, seeking to ensure loyalty and ideological purity for Iran’s theocracy.

— Lee Keath, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of loyalty

Noun

But Blanche played down concerns that the erosion of judicial trust could impede his efforts to advance his agenda.

— Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
When government applies the rules consistently, businesses have the confidence to invest, innovation is encouraged, public institutions earn greater trust and the public benefits.

— Robin Rossenfeld, Denver Post, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of trust

Noun

Michael Mankins and Matthew Crupi want value maximization back as the objective, with stakeholder commitments as hard or soft constraints.

— Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
The integration of laser systems on the lightweight, highly mobile ISV platform reflects a commitment to scalable, adaptable, and expeditionary force protection solutions.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of commitment

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fairy tales

faith

faithful

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“Faith.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faith. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of faith

noun

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