Believed

to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so:
only if one believes in something can one act purposefully.
to have confidence or faith in the truth of (a positive -ssertion, story, etc.); give credence to.
to have confidence in the -ssertions of (a person).
to have a conviction that (a person or thing) is, has been, or will be engaged in a given action or involved in a given situation:
the fugitive is believed to be headed for the mexican border.
to suppose or -ssume; understand (usually followed by a noun clause):
i believe that he has left town.
believe in,

to be persuaded of the truth or existence of:
to believe in zoroastrianism; to believe in ghosts.
to have faith in the reliability, honesty, benevolence, etc., of:
i can help only if you believe in me.

make believe. make1 (def 68).
contemporary examples

former syrian soldier describes life in the army at the start of war andrew slater september 3, 2013
whitey bulger’s women: inside the terror and glamour of his ex-girlfriends t.j. english june 10, 2012
tom hiddleston on his rocker-vampire in ‘only lovers left alive,’ ‘thor 2,’ and ‘avengers 2’ marlow stern september 6, 2013
a gift to the jihadis: the unseen airport security threat clive irving december 26, 2014
what don’t ask, don’t tell protects brendan tapley december 3, 2010

historical examples

within the law marvin dana
philothea lydia maria child
sir ludar talbot baines reed
philothea lydia maria child
welsh folk-lore elias owen

verb
(transitive; may take a clause as object) to accept (a statement, supposition, or opinion) as true: i believe g-d exists
(transitive) to accept the statement or opinion of (a person) as true
(intransitive) foll by in. to be convinced of the truth or existence (of): to believe in fairies
(intransitive) to have religious faith
(when transitive, takes a clause as object) to think, -ssume, or suppose: i believe that he has left already
(transitive; foll by of; used with can, could, would, etc) to think that someone is able to do (a particular action): i wouldn’t have believed it of him
v.

believe it or not
believe one’s ears