verb

belie

to belie, to contradict, to misrepresent

Her calm face belied her inner panic.

Her calm face belied her inner panic.

The facts of the case belie his testimony.

The facts of the case belie his testimony.

((sth.)) to give a false impression of (sth.). Her smile belied her sadness.

Synonyms: contradict, misrepresent, disguise; Antonyms: reveal, represent, prove

From Old English 'belēogan', from 'be-' + 'lēogan' (to lie). Literally 'to tell lies about'.

Think 'be a lie'. The outward appearance makes the inner truth seem to 'be a lie'.

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