Incredulity

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˌɪn.kɹəˈdjuːl.ɪ.ti/

Origin

Attested since 1430. From Old French incredulité, from Latin incredulitas, from incredulus ("unbelieving") + -itas ("-ity")

Full definition of incredulity

Noun

1. Unwillingness or inability to believe; doubt about the truth or verisimilitude of something; disbelief.
• 1916, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar, ch. 24:Wide went her eyes in wonder and incredulity, as she beheld this seeming apparition risen from the dead.
• 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 8, It was a casual sneer, obviously one of a long line. There was hatred behind it, but of a quiet, chronic type, nothing new or unduly virulent, and he was taken aback by the flicker of amazed incredulity that passed over the younger man's ravaged face.
2. (rare) Religious disbelief, lack of faith.

Synonyms

• incredulousness

Antonyms

• credulity

Related terms

• incredibility
• incredulous