gullibility

Definition of gullibilitynext
as in naïveté
readiness to believe the claims of others without sufficient evidence teased her about her well-known gullibility by repeatedly offering to sell her the Brooklyn Bridge

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 gullibility With no way to secure this crucial boundary, Microsoft and its peers are left to erect complicated and ad hoc guardrails designed to rein in the consequences of this incurable gullibility. Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 16 June 2026 Their bond — both are outsiders who suffered abuse as children — is one of the few emotional soft spots in the otherwise fast-moving series about America’s rotten power structure, manipulative media and the gullibility of the public. Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026 These forces—economic uncertainty, political division, and toxic algorithms—work in a vicious cycle to try and tell us that empathy is weakness… that kindness is gullibility… that sincerity is for suckers. Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026 The Enlightenment faith in reason, science, and free speech, already weakened by the First World War, had been devastated by an unprecedented bureaucracy of mass death, sustained by technology, systematic deceit, widespread gullibility, and eager acquiescence. Victor J. Blue, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025 That’s the gullibility these movies tap into — our desire, underneath it all, to believe the impossible. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 Nov. 2025 And in a world where time is money, conditions are ripe for a perfect storm of greed, deceit, and willful gullibility—all in the hope of getting ahead faster than the rest. Luis E. Romero, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 Ignoring the problem of online gullibility felt irresponsible – even negligent. Sam Wineburg, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2025 As Nathan notes, the excuses players come up with often test a true fan’s gullibility. Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gullibility
Noun
  • Because these stories have to dramatize a search for normalcy, its leads tend to be awkward in ways that strain credulity.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
  • Cape Fear strains credulity a little by making Natalie too easy a mark.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • The first and most damaging is certainty—the belief that your views are unequivocally right.
    Susan MacKenty Brady, Fortune, 14 July 2026
  • Critics argue that religious stories should not be explicitly taught in public schools attended by students with a variety of different religious beliefs.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
Noun
  • Apple’s entire business is predicated on the consumer desire for simplicity.
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 11 July 2026
  • But beyond speed and simplicity, the Breakaway/Build model also requires trust.
    Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 10 July 2026
Noun
  • Citation asks whether a search engine (or AI tool) can lift a clear, defensible claim from your source and attach its own credibility to it.
    Meghna Deshraj, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Weber believes the massive success of the GLP-1 drugs for diabetes and weight loss has lent an air of credibility to these injectable wellness peptides, even though those drugs underwent extensive human trials before coming to market.
    Will Stone, NPR, 8 July 2026
Noun
  • The simpleness of the look really allowed the Crocs to stand out and make an impression.
    Tara Larson, Footwear News, 14 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gullibility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gullibility. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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