Synonyms of credence

credence

noun

ˈkrē-dᵊn(t)s 

1

as in confidence

firm belief in the integrity, ability, effectiveness, or genuineness of someone or something

I'm afraid I don't put much credence in common gossip

Synonyms & Similar Words

• confidence
• trust
• faith
• certainty
• assurance
• conviction
• stock
• acceptance
• certitude
• positiveness
• reliance
• hope
• surety
• credit
• assuredness
• sureness
• dependence

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distrust
• mistrust
• doubt
• disbelief
• incredulity
• skepticism
• uncertainty
• suspicion
• unbelief
• dubiety
• incertitude
• misgiving
• dubiousness
• disenchantment
• disillusionment
• disillusion
• misdoubt
• nonconfidence
• distrustfulness
• mistrustfulness
• uncertainness

2

as in belief

mental conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon

a foolish theory that, incredibly, once had wide credence among educated people

Synonyms & Similar Words

• belief
• credit
• assurance
• certainty
• axiom
• faith
• article of faith
• conviction
• principle
• confidence
• reliance
• doctrine
• law
• certitude
• tenet
• trust
• positiveness
• insistence
• precept
• philosophy
• dependence
• hope
• dogma
• sureness
• dogmatism
• fanaticism

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• doubt
• discredit
• disbelief
• unbelief
• uncertainty
• skepticism
• suspicion
• distrust
• mistrust
• nonbelief

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of credence are belief, credit, and faith. While all these words mean "assent to the truth of something offered for acceptance," credence suggests intellectual assent without implying anything about grounds for assent.

a theory now given credence by scientists

When is it sensible to use belief instead of credence?

In some situations, the words belief and credence are roughly equivalent. However, belief may or may not imply certitude in the believer.

my belief that I had caught all the errors

When is credit a more appropriate choice than credence?

The words credit and credence are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, credit may imply assent on grounds other than direct proof.

gave full credit to the statement of a reputable witness

Where would faith be a reasonable alternative to credence?

The meanings of faith and credence largely overlap; however, faith almost always implies certitude even where there is no evidence or proof.

an unshakable faith in God

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of credence

Studies like Zatorre’s have also given neuroscientific credence to Meyer’s theory of music and expectation, according to Amy Belfi, a music-cognition researcher at Missouri University of Science and Technology who was not involved in his research. —Shayla Love, New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2026

The idea of football being a young man’s game was given more credence by the fact that just £49million (one per cent) was spent on players aged 29 or over. —James McNicholas, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026

But in the opinions of the two lead detectives on the case, to comment on every single one, to give credence publicly to even the most dubious messages, as Captain Donahoe was doing, only made the department look like a bunch of saps. —Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026

Washington’s rhetoric over a potential assault on the Danish territory has been given greater credence by its capture of Venezuela’s president, and European leaders are scrambling to respond. —Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026