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Credulously Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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credulously

[หˆkrษ›สคษ™lษ™sli ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adverb

incredulously

In a credulous manner, showing a willingness to believe something without evidence or skepticism.

Synonyms

gullibly, naively, trustingly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
credulously

Used when someone is willing to believe things too easily, often without sufficient evidence. This word carries a slightly neutral to negative connotation.

  • She credulously accepted his explanation without questioning it.
  • Credulously believing in every rumor can lead to misinformation.
gullibly

Used to describe someone who is easily deceived or tricked because they are too trusting. This word carries a more negative connotation than 'credulously'.

  • He gullibly fell for the online scam.
  • She gullibly believed that the email was from her bank.
naively

Used when someone shows a lack of experience or sophistication, and thus is easily deceived or overly trusting. This word can be neutral or slightly negative depending on the context.

  • He naively thought that all people are good.
  • She naively trusted the salesperson's promises.
trustingly

Used to describe a situation where someone puts their trust in someone or something with positive intentions, usually because they believe in the goodness or reliability of that person or thing. This word carries a positive or neutral connotation.

  • The child looked at her trustingly, expecting her to solve the problem.
  • He handed over the keys trustingly, believing his friend would take good care of the car.

Examples of usage

  • She looked at the magician incredulously as he made the rabbit disappear.
  • The students listened credulously to the outlandish story about aliens.
  • He accepted the offer credulously, without questioning the terms.
Context #2 | Adverb

credulously believe

To believe something too easily or readily, without critical thinking or questioning.

Synonyms

gullibly, naively, trustingly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
credulously

This word indicates a tendency to believe things too easily, often without enough evidence. It can imply a lack of critical thinking and sometimes has a slightly negative connotation.

  • She credulously accepted the scammerโ€™s promises without questioning them.
  • The children listened credulously to the fantastic tales told by the storyteller.
gullibly

This word has a more negative connotation and suggests that someone is easily deceived or tricked because they believe everything too readily.

  • He gullibly handed over his savings to the fraudster.
  • Tourists are often seen as gullibly spending money on overpriced souvenirs.
naively

Use this word to describe someone who shows a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment. It can also imply innocence and simplicity.

  • She naively believed that everyone she met online was trustworthy.
  • His naively optimistic outlook was refreshing, though sometimes unrealistic.
trustingly

This word describes someone who is willing to believe in the honesty and integrity of others. It has a neutral to positive connotation and reflects a general faith in people.

  • The dog followed its new owner trustingly.
  • Children often look up to their parents trustingly.

Examples of usage

  • She credulously believed the email claiming she had won a million dollars.
  • He credulously believes everything he reads on the internet.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Individuals often show credulousness when they lack critical thinking skills, making them more susceptible to misinformation.
  • Cognitive biases, like the confirmation bias, can lead people to accept information that aligns with their beliefs, showing a credulous nature.
  • Children are typically more credulous due to their developing reasoning abilities, which can make them more trusting of what they hear.

Literature

  • In literature, characters who are credulous often find themselves deceived or ensnared in schemes, showcasing the consequences of blind belief.
  • Famous literary works, like 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer', feature credulous characters who fall for tricks or hoaxes.
  • Authors use credulous characters to explore themes of trust, gullibility, and the dangers of misinformation.

Pop Culture

  • Reality television often capitalizes on credulous viewers who believe the scripted drama is real, leading to discussions about truth in media.
  • Hoaxes and urban legends thrive on credulous audiences, often spreading rapidly through social media due to shared belief.
  • Certain magic tricks and illusions rely on the credibility of the audience to enhance the impact and belief in the impossible.

Origin of 'credulously'

Main points about word origin

  • 'Credulous' comes from the Latin word 'credere', which means 'to believe'.
  • The suffix '-ly' is used to form adverbs from adjectives, making 'credulously' mean 'in a trusting manner'.
  • This term has been in use since the 1600s, originally describing people too willing to believe in the supernatural.

The word 'credulously' is derived from the adjective 'credulous', which comes from the Latin word 'credulus' meaning 'easily deceived'. The suffix '-ly' is added to form the adverb 'credulously'. The concept of being credulous has been discussed in various philosophical and psychological contexts, highlighting the importance of critical thinking and skepticism in the evaluation of information and beliefs.

See also: credulousness.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,609, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.