belie

/bɪˈlʌɪ/

Group 1Difficulty 2/3

Definition

(verb)
To give a false impression of; to contradict
GRE

Example in Context

The country's robust economic statistics belied the hardship experienced by communities left behind by the transition to a technology-driven economy.

Synonyms

contradictmisrepresentdisguise

Etymology

To make something seem different than it truly is, like a deceptive mask!

  • be- (Old English) — to make
  • lie (Old English) — to lie

Memory Aid

🎭Sounds like “be lie

A magician pulls a rabbit out of a hat while saying, 'This is REAL, it's not a BELIE!'

Visual Association

🪞A person looking into a mirror that shows a completely different reflection — contradicting reality.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “belie” mean on the GRE?

belie (verb) means “To give a false impression of; to contradict”. The country's robust economic statistics belied the hardship experienced by communities left behind by the transition to a technology-driven economy.

How to remember “belie” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “belie” sounds like “be lie”. A magician pulls a rabbit out of a hat while saying, 'This is REAL, it's not a BELIE!'

What are synonyms for “belie”?

Common synonyms: contradict, misrepresent, disguise.