CREDULITY Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

credulity

noun

kri-ˈdü-lə-tē

Definition of credulity

as in gullibility

readiness to believe the claims of others without sufficient evidence the quack pushing the phony medicine was taking advantage of the credulity of people hoping for miracle cures

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 credulity Box Elder is all of that, multiplied to a scale that strains credulity. — Michael Posner, Forbes.com, 9 June 2026 Even if viewers didn’t know what direction Russia eventually took under Putin, however, the character’s powerful but coiled demeanor quickly makes apparent that such credulity has consequences. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026 Forgive the sarcasm, but this season broke my credulity meter months ago. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026 But the idea that athletic departments and their associated fundraising arms should be classified as tax-exempt nonprofits promoting education and amateur sports strains credulity. — Andrew Urbaczewski, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for credulity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for credulity

Noun

Members must accommodate themselves to its fictions, with varying mixtures of gullibility and cynicism; followers shown proof that the leader has lied may admire him all the more for his tactical cleverness.

— David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Mason highlights – with levity and humor – how erroneous ideas, gullibility, and blinders can lead even people who should know better down rabbit holes.

— Monitor reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 23 July 2026

Definition of gullibility

Noun

At the heart of that legacy is a simple belief that movies are best seen together, on a big screen.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
The memoir also details Cooper’s crippling, career-stalling struggles with substance abuse during the late ‘70s and goes into depth about his subsequent re-embrace of Christianity and his current beliefs and practices.

— Gary Graff, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of belief

Noun

The vote is being closely watched by investors across the globe, with questions swirling around whether the incoming administration can deliver fiscal credibility.

— Chloe Taylor,Thomas Da Graca Barlow, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
What voters will decide instead is how Brazil manages its credibility deficit and whether the country can start the long process of closing it.

— MATIAS SPEKTOR, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of credibility

Browse Nearby Words

credos

credulity

credulous

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Credulity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/credulity. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of credulity

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes