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

Hobaiter and Dominy support this idea with half a dozen claims that could, in principle, be tested, lending some scientific credence to the idea that complex human speech was selected for in the warm glow of a crackling campfire. — Mike McRae 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026

And the Jeffrey Epstein files, which have exposed the late financier’s private network and financial dealings, have only lent credence to QAnon theories among believers. — Matthew N. Hannah, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026

Still, attendance numbers released after the fair lent credence to at least some of the criticism; about 2 million people attended across the 24 days of the fair in 2025, 400,000 fewer than the year before. — Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

The results lend credence to the JAAC’s contention that polling alone cannot resolve who exercises meaningful political authority in Kashmir. — Aqil Shah, Time, 17 Aug. 2026