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

People danced in the wings of the stage while fans roared in the Ryman’s pews, offering credence to the band’s title. —Chris Parton, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2025

Indeed, the presence of prominent Embaló allies in the interim Guinea-Bissau government lends credence to opposition cries of foul play. —John Joseph Chin, The Conversation, 1 Dec. 2025

That line of thinking gained credence among more people as COVID highlighted the importance of asking before touching or getting close to someone. —Rheana Murray, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2025

The setting of the camp, and the snowy weather add immeasurably to the ghostly nature of the story, and is given credence by Derrickson’s own childhood attending these kind of winter camps in Colorado. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025