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

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

Such a complicated form belies the simplicity of much of the language in it.

— Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
This season’s star was the Asa Tote, a large flat architectural shape with asymmetric shoulder straps that shined in its simplicity thanks to the contrasting textures, like in the charming canvas and leather version.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of simplicity

Noun

What readers are saying The comments reflect skepticism and criticism towards Israel and its actions, with some commenters questioning the credibility of Israeli intelligence and the motives behind certain events.

— Matthew Hay Brown, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
Levi’s — under Gass as well as her predecessor Chip Bergh — has built up a certain credibility and is getting the benefit of the doubt.

— Evan Clark, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of credulousness

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

deportment

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes