credulity

[kri-doo-luh-tee, -dyoo-]

credulity Definition

a tendency to believe too readily and therefore be easily deceived.

Using credulity: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "credulity" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The con artist took advantage of the old man's credulity.

• Example

  Her credulity made her an easy target for scams.

• Example

  The politician relied on the credulity of his supporters to spread false information.

credulity Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for credulity

• gullibility
• naivety
• trustfulness

Antonyms for credulity

• skepticism
• distrust

Phrases with credulity

• stretch credulity

  to be too much to believe or accept

  Example

  The plot of the movie was so ridiculous that it stretched credulity.

• tax credulity

  to test the limits of what people are willing to believe or accept

  Example

  The company's advertising campaign was designed to tax credulity, making exaggerated claims about their product.

• credulity gap

  a difference between what people are told and what they are willing to believe

  Example

  The government's explanation for the war created a credulity gap among the public, who were skeptical of the official story.

Origins of credulity

from Latin 'credulus', meaning 'believing'

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Summary: credulity in Brief

Credulity [kri-doo-luh-tee, -dyoo-] is the tendency to believe too readily and therefore be easily deceived. It is often exploited by con artists and scammers, as well as politicians spreading false information. Phrases like 'stretch credulity' and 'tax credulity' describe situations where something is hard to believe or accept. The term is formal and can be used interchangeably with 'gullibility' and 'naivety.'