CREDULOUSNESS Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Noun

The idea that these two would have a five-minute-or-less breakup conversation, then plop down on the couch and happily embark on an acid trip together, strains credulity a little, even for this bizarre, codependent friend group.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
The movie features several spectacular set pieces, some of which defy gravity and credulity, but at its heart, The Fugitive is a classically satisfying mystery in the Agatha Christie tradition.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of credulity

Noun

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
Mason highlights – with levity and humor – how erroneous ideas, gullibility, and blinders can lead even people who should know better down rabbit holes.

— Monitor reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 23 July 2026

Definition of gullibility

Noun

The widespread belief was Clippers general manager Trent Redden would fill that role, but the team has not publicly revealed its plans.

— Law Murray, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
The same poll found belief that data centers raise electricity bills jumped from 43% in January to nearly 60% by July—six months before Apollo or Morgan Stanley published a word of this research.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of belief

Noun

This work will ultimately support fundraising efforts, donor retention, corporate partnerships, volunteer recruitment, credibility and more for long-term success.

— Catherine LaCour, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
The validator set now spans distinct institutional categories, each bringing a different kind of credibility to the network.

— Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of credibility

Browse Nearby Words

credulously

credulousness

creed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Credulousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/credulousness. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of credulousness

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

quorum

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes