credulous
[krej-uh-luh s]
- willing to believe or trust too readily, especially without proper or adequate evidence; gullible.
- marked by or arising from credulity: a credulous rumor.
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Origin of credulous
1570–80; < Latin crēdulus, equivalent to crēd(ere) to believe + -ulus adj. suffix denoting a quality or tendency; see -ous
Synonyms
See more synonyms for credulous on Thesaurus.com1. believing, trustful, unsuspecting.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for credulousness
Contemporary Examples
How the credulousness of mainstream media figures like Bob Woodward and Ron Fournier enables Republican extremism.
Historical Examples
She herself meanwhile will seek to enter the kemenate and play upon her credulousness.
The Complete Opera BookGustav Kobb
Antonia had the most trusting, responsive eyes in the world; love and credulousness seemed to look out of them with open faces.
My AntoniaWilla Cather
Both are personifications founded in the ignorance of the masses, and their continuance will cease with their credulousness.
A Few Words About the DevilCharles Bradlaugh
What first suggested to Crandon his idea of the love-potion was the discovery of Sophie's credulousness.
Beggars on HorsebackF. Tennyson Jesse
credulous
- tending to believe something on little evidence
- arising from or characterized by credulitycredulous beliefs
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Word Origin
C16: from Latin crēdulus, from crēdere to believe
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for credulousness
credulous
adj.
1570s, from Latin credulus "that easily believes, trustful," from credere "to believe" (see credo). Related: Credulously; credulousness.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper