credulity

noun

cre·​du·​li·​ty kri-ˈdü-lə-tē 

-ˈdyü-

: readiness or willingness to believe especially on slight or uncertain evidence

Her description of the event strains credulity.

Synonyms of credulity

• gullibility
• naïveté
• belief
• credulousness
• simplicity
• credibility

Examples of credulity in a Sentence

the quack pushing the phony medicine was taking advantage of the credulity of people hoping for miracle cures

Recent Examples on the Web

The TikTok tradeoff is dynamic scanning, selecting, and constructing in return for patience, credulity, and willingness to follow direction. —Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Bollen’s own professional background is in market research, and, being well versed in the ways in which popular credulity is leveraged, she is also equipped to cast skepticism upon research findings whose standards fall short. —Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026

But many lawmakers, including some Republicans, said that explanation strained credulity given the scale of the mission. —Nik Popli, Time, 8 Jan. 2026

Except for the fact that, straining credulity, Epstein is real. —Ben Smith, semafor.com, 17 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see credulous

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing credulity

• stretch credulity

Rhymes for credulity

• incredulity

Kids Definition

credulity

noun

cre·​du·​li·​ty kri-ˈd(y)ü-lət-ē 

: a willingness to believe statements especially on little or no evidence