credibility gap

noun

1
a
: lack of trust
a credibility gap between generations
b
: lack of believability
a credibility gap created by contradictory official statementsSamuel Ellenport
2
: discrepancy
the credibility gap between the professed ideals … and their actual practicesJeanne L. Noble

Example Sentences

There is a credibility gap between what the mayor says and what the people see happening in the city. The fact that the new estimates are so wildly different from the initial numbers has created a credibility gap.
Recent Examples on the Web Talk about a credibility gap! Mike Masterson, Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 2020 As the Pentagon Papers made clear, these capable leaders knew at some point that the war could not be won, but their continuous misinformation on the war’s progress created a cavernous credibility gap with the public that lingers to this day. Michael Peregrine, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023 There is a credibility gap because of past broken promises. Dana Beltaji And Peter Prengaman, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Nov. 2022 That created a credibility gap between the clubhouse and the front office. Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Aug. 2022 This inability to clearly link marketing activities to revenue outcomes creates a credibility gap between marketing teams and the rest of the business. Jim Mchugh, Forbes, 15 July 2022 Even beyond this yawning credibility gap, Biden’s total deterrence package was palpably inadequate. John Bolton, Time, 9 Mar. 2022 And right now, administration officials are dealing with a credibility gap on the issue. Jim Puzzanghera, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Nov. 2021 In an industry as complicated and high-stakes as healthcare, the implementation of artificial intelligence and machine learning comes with challenges that have created a credibility gap. Seth Joseph, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'credibility gap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of credibility gap was in 1965

Dictionary Entries Near credibility gap

Cite this Entry

“Credibility gap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/credibility%20gap. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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