credibility

noun

cred·​i·​bil·​i·​ty ˌkre-də-ˈbi-lə-tē 

1

: the quality or power of inspiring belief

an account lacking in credibility

2

: capacity for belief

Her account exceeds credibility.

Examples of credibility in a Sentence

The new evidence lends credibility to their theory.

The scandal undermined her credibility as an honest politician.

In this instance, the lawyer's job is to make the jury doubt the witness's credibility.

Recent Examples on the Web

Had one of his schools swiped a Big Ten athlete under contract (with tampering as the mechanism), Sankey’s credibility on the issue would have been severely undercut and his relationship with Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti might have been damaged. —Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026

Diplomacy is preferable, but diplomacy without credibility is meaningless. —Jason D. Greenblatt, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026

Tia isn’t the only one skeptical about Stacey’s credibility. —Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

Issues with main witness, attorneys say Legal experts contacted by the Herald questioned how prosecutors could build their case around Carvajal, who has insider knowledge but also profound credibility issues and faces spending the rest of his life in prison. —Jay Weaver january 8, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see credible

First Known Use

circa 1572, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing credibility

• credibility gap
• lend weight/credence/credibility

Rhymes for credibility

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• capability
• changeability
• contractility
• culpability
• disability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility
• feasibility

Kids Definition

credibility

noun

cred·​i·​bil·​i·​ty ˌkred-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

1

: the quality or power of inspiring belief

a story without much credibility

2

: capacity for belief

an excuse beyond credibility