credulity

noun

cre·​du·​li·​ty kri-ˈdü-lə-tē 

-ˈdyü-

: readiness or willingness to believe especially on slight or uncertain evidence

Her description of the event strains credulity.

Synonyms

• credulousness
• gullibility
• naiveness
• naïveté
• naivete
• naiveté
• simpleness

Examples of credulity in a Sentence

the quack pushing the phony medicine was taking advantage of the credulity of people hoping for miracle cures

Recent Examples on the Web

The quality of the show’s ensemble — including Bang, who made for a deliciously awful villain, and Duff, who brought depth and complexity to her role as the long-suffering wife — more than made up for a few plot twists that strained credulity. —Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2024

One of the flopping’s great pleasures is how renowned play-by-play man Ian Darke treats each one with the utmost credulity. —Zach Przystup, Baltimore Sun, 11 July 2024

But the notion of Ramaphosa as the good knight who would rescue a troubled country always strained credulity. —John Rapley, Foreign Affairs, 10 Jan. 2023

The people who claim that Biden is consistently sharp and vigorous behind the scenes always strained credulity. —The Editors, National Review, 28 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

see credulous

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing credulity

• stretch credulity

Kids Definition

credulity

noun

cre·​du·​li·​ty kri-ˈd(y)ü-lət-ē 

: a willingness to believe statements especially on little or no evidence