incredulity

[in-kri-doo-li-tee, -dyoo-]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR incredulity ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the quality or state of being incredulous; inability or unwillingness to believe.

Origin of incredulity

1400–50; late Middle English incredulite < Latin incrēdulitās. See incredulous, -ity

Synonyms for incredulity

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR incredulity ON THESAURUS.COM

disbelief, skepticism, doubt.

Antonyms for incredulity

faith.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for incredulity

amazement, skepticism, unbelief, doubt, wonder

Examples from the Web for incredulity

Contemporary Examples of incredulity

It started off small: a hint of annoyance here, a flutter of incredulity there.
Just Kill Mr. Bates Already! How to Save ‘Downton Abbey’
Andrew Romano
February 20, 2014
The humility of Joseph to accept this news when most would have responded with incredulity and dismay.
The True Gifts of Christmas Are Life, Love, and the Mystery of God
Joshua DuBois
December 25, 2013
The incredulity gap poses a serious hurdle for Secretary Kerry.
Kerry’s Task: Close the Incredulity Gap
Joel Braunold, Ghaith al-Omari, Danielle Spiegel Feld
May 23, 2013
Informed of the great interest in his new beard, he responded with incredulity.
Political Tensions Takes Center Stage at World Economic Forum
Daniel Gross
January 27, 2013
Incredulity and astonishment enabled his abuse as much as complicity or cover-up.
Jimmy Savile Sex-Abuse Scandal Taints Entire Era in Britain
Peter Jukes
October 31, 2012

Historical Examples of incredulity

There came a squeal of amazement from Aggie, a start of incredulity from Garson.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
Robert's thin lips broke into a slight sneer of incredulity.
Night and Morning, Complete
Edward Bulwer-Lytton
At his shoulder he heard a low gasp of amazement and incredulity commingled.
The Black Bag
Louis Joseph Vance
These statements were then received with a stormy manifestation of incredulity.
Cleveland Past and Present
Maurice Joblin
Then, at once, a curious feeling of incredulity swept over him.
The Law-Breakers
Ridgwell Cullum

British Dictionary definitions for incredulity

incredulity

noun

lack of belief; scepticism

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for incredulity

"disbelieving frame of mind," early 15c., from Middle French incrédulité, from Latin incredulitatem (nominative incredulitas), noun of quality from incredulus (see incredible).