incredulity
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of incredulity
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English incredulite, from Latin incrēdulitās; see incredulous, -ity
Explanation
Incredulity is the state of not believing. I greeted the stranger's story about needing bus fare with incredulity. "I just don't believe you," I said. "The bit about your diabetic cat was a little over the top." In Latin, credere means "to believe." You'll see it at the roots of creed "statement of belief," credible "believable," credulous "a person who readily believes," and incredulous "a person who doesn't."
Vocabulary lists containing incredulity
A Raisin in the Sun
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Believe It or Not: Cred
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1984
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In “The Incredulity of St. Thomas,” Lopez Boada is the risen messiah, her wounds probed by Pavón’s doubting apostle.
From Washington Post • Nov. 10, 2020
Incredulity on this scale suggests that our media haven’t been paying attention.
From The Guardian • Sep. 25, 2016
Incredulity soon followed when another bout of pinball led to Gary O’Reilly putting us 2-1 up.
From The Guardian • May 20, 2016
In “The Incredulity of Saint Thomas,” a skeptical apostle cowers after Christ reveals his wounds.
From New York Times • Aug. 26, 2011
Incredulity, amazement rested on the Mexican spokesman’s face as he listened to this curt rejoinder.
From In the Shadow of the Hills by Shedd, George C. (George Clifford)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
