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Glite Dictionary
credulousness

credulousness

1 8.9
A tendency to believe things too easily so people can trick you
  • noun
  • /ˈkrɛdʒələsnəs/
translation icon : credulidad
  • With science fiction, there has to be a certain amount of credulousness.

Examples

  • Alawadi and media credulousness November 19, 2012 by Mollie

    Blog text (33)

  • So you should have a posture of radical doubt, but it shouldn't flip around and become credulousness about other theories, right?

  • Her credulousness made her a target for online scammers who prey on unsuspecting victims.

  • The politician's promises were met with skepticism, as the public's credulousness had led them to believe false claims in the past.

  • Due to his credulousness, he trusted every rumor he heard, often leading to misunderstandings with his friends.

Synonyms

credulity
vscredulousness
  • Formal
12 8.1

A tendency to believe things too easily without enough proof

is the habitual readiness to believe that leads to being tricked
gullibility
vscredulousness
5 7.7

Believing things too easily and getting tricked

is the same tendency described in a general, neutral way
overcredulity
vscredulousness
9.9

Being too ready to believe things without proof

is the basic tendency rather than its extreme or excessive form
persuadability
vscredulousness
7.6

Being easily convinced by other people

is about believing too easily even without active persuasion
trustfulness
vscredulousness
4.8

Being ready to believe people are honest or reliable

can lead to being deceived because it means believing too readily

Antonyms

skepticism
  • US
124 5.1

A feeling of doubt about an idea or claim when there is not enough proof

disbelief
86 3.0

A feeling when you do not think something is true

How Credulous

credulousness
1 8.9
naivety
7 6.1
wariness
6 5.4
skepticism
  • US
124 5.1

Surface Forms

credulousness singular
credulousnesses plural

Morphology

credulousness = credulous (transparent) = credul + ous + ness

Standard and productive noun formation from the adjective 'credulous' using the suffix '-ness'; the meaning is directly the state or quality of being credulous.

Etymology

Credulousness comes from an old Latin root cred- (from credere) meaning 'to believe', the same root you see in credit and credible. So, credulousness is like 'giving belief' too easily, which is why a credulous person is quick to believe and easy to trick.