credulousness

noun

as in credulity
readiness to believe the claims of others without sufficient evidence her inveterate credulousness makes her an easy target for practical jokes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of credulousness Her credulousness has actually served Fox as a legal defense, since a person has to know a statement was false or show reckless disregard for the truth in order to be held liable for defamation. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for credulousness
  1. credulity
  2. gullibility
  3. belief
  4. simplicity
  5. credibility
Noun
  • What’s worse is the scene that follows, revealing the clean-up of multiple bodies and an elaborate rewriting of the narrative that strains credulity to put it mildly, not to mention shortchanging the Mexican characters.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The earlier series has increasingly strained credulity by having its romance plots hinge on inequalities of gender and class, but seldom of race.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of credulity
Noun
  • Beyond the mystery at the novel’s core, Candlish examines themes of #MeToo harassment, truth versus fiction in social media trends, boomerang kids, and the fine line between gullibility and trust.
    — The Know, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Members must accommodate themselves to its fictions, with varying mixtures of gullibility and cynicism; followers shown proof that the leader has lied may admire him all the more for his tactical cleverness.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of gullibility
Noun
  • Under relatively stable conditions, those beliefs may remain quiet.
    — Shahrzad Jalali, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The two were discussing that deal and Ellison’s belief in the importance of the movie theater business to the industry.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of belief
Noun
  • Now manufacturers are reconsidering whether that simplicity is worth the waste.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The simplicity of the shoes paired well with her crimson-red sequined and beaded ensemble that landed right at her ankles.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of simplicity
Noun
  • Changes to hardware are necessary to restore the credibility of Europe’s nuclear deterrence.
    — Ivo H. Daalder, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The issue ultimately comes down to credibility, an essential attribute for any press secretary.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of credibility

Browse Nearby Words

credulously
credulousness
creed
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Cite this Entry

“Credulousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/credulousness. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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