incredulous

[in-krej-uh-luhs]

adjective

1. not credulous; disinclined or indisposed to believe; skeptical

2. indicating or showing unbelief.

   an incredulous smile.

incredulous

/ ɪnˈkrɛdjʊləs /

adjective

1. (often foll by of) not prepared or willing to believe (something); unbelieving

Other Word Forms

• incredulously adverb
• incredulousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of incredulous¹

From the Latin word incrēdulus, dating back to 1525–35; in- ³, credulous

Synonym Study

See doubtful.

Example Sentences

“An apartment in Saint Petersburg?” he said to his wife, incredulous.

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He was incredulous to learn that the attorney general had investigated Household and then been prevented, by a state judge, from releasing the results of his investigation.

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"They say everything will be fine and that there will be billions of euros of investment, new roads and trade with Iran, America, Europe, Turkey and Azerbaijan," Marut Vanyan says with an incredulous smile.

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The host grew incredulous when he confronted Ladapo on the fact that Florida did not analyze how ending public school vaccination requirements might lead to increased cases of deadly diseases.

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Against this backdrop, Ms Han is incredulous that authorities keep asking for proof to recognise her and her son as victims of Hiroshima.

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Related Words

• doubtful 
• hesitant 
• quizzical 
• skeptical 
• suspicious 
• unconvinced 
• unsatisfied