Incredulity: meaning, definitions and examples

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incredulity

[ˌɪnkrɪˈdjuːləti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

expressing disbelief

The state of being unwilling or unable to believe something. Incredulity is often shown through facial expressions or body language.

Synonyms

disbelief, doubt, skepticism.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
incredulity	Incredulity is used when someone is so surprised that they find it hard to believe something is true. His story was met with incredulity by the audience. There was widespread incredulity at the news.
disbelief	Disbelief is appropriate when someone outright refuses to accept that something is true. She looked at him in disbelief. His explanation was met with total disbelief.
skepticism	Skepticism is used when someone has a habit of questioning or lacking trust in the truth of ideas or statements. It often carries a more analytical or cautious nuance. There was a great deal of skepticism surrounding the project. He listened to the story with healthy skepticism.
doubt	Doubt is used when someone is uncertain or feels unsure about something. I have serious doubts about his honesty. There was no doubt in her mind.

Examples of usage

He stared at her in incredulity when she told him she had won the lottery.
The news of the alien invasion was met with incredulity by the general public.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

doubting the truth of something

A feeling that something can't be true or real, often due to a lack of evidence or logical reasoning.

Synonyms

distrust, suspicion, unbelief.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
incredulity	Incredulity is often used when someone is genuinely shocked or surprised by something they find hard to believe. Her face was a picture of incredulity when she heard the news. He listened to the story with a sense of incredulity.
distrust	Distrust is used when someone does not have confidence in someone or something and always expects dishonesty or harm. It often implies a deeper, ongoing feeling. There was a lot of distrust between the two business partners. Public distrust in the government has increased over recent years.
suspicion	Suspicion is appropriate when someone has a feeling that something might be true or that someone might be guilty, but lacks proof. The detective's suspicion was aroused by the conflicting statements. She felt a growing suspicion that someone was following her.
unbelief	Unbelief is used when someone simply does not accept something as true, often in a religious or philosophical context. His childhood was marked by his unbelief in any form of higher power. She expressed her unbelief in the supernatural.

Examples of usage

His incredulity at the outrageous claims made by the salesman was evident.
I was filled with incredulity when I heard the far-fetched story about the talking dog.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from the Latin 'incredulus,' meaning 'not believing.'
It is formed from 'in-' (not) and 'credere' (to believe), emphasizing the idea of disbelief.
The modern form entered the English language in the early 1600s, reflecting changing attitudes towards trust and skepticism.

Psychology

Incredulity is often linked to cognitive dissonance, where a person struggles to reconcile conflicting beliefs or experiences.
People may feel incredulity as a defense mechanism to protect themselves from overwhelming information.
This feeling can also enhance critical thinking, prompting individuals to question and analyze information more deeply.

Literature

In literature, characters often express incredulity during climactic moments, emphasizing the astonishing twists in the plot.
Classic novels, like 'Pride and Prejudice,' depict moments of incredulity, highlighting characters’ reactions to surprising revelations.
Authors use incredulity to develop themes of trust, truth, and the nature of reality throughout various genres.

Pop Culture

In popular films, moments of incredulity often lead to comedic or dramatic reactions from characters, enhancing the storyline.
Social media trends often evoke incredulity, where shocking news or bizarre events provoke disbelief and viral discussions.
Incredulity is a common theme in fantasy and science fiction, where characters grapple with extraordinary circumstances.

Philosophy

Philosophical discussions often explore the role of incredulity in human understanding and the limits of knowledge.
Skepticism, a philosophical school of thought, encourages incredulity towards claims that lack evidence.
Incredulity prompts deeper inquiry into the nature of truth, belief, and the philosophical implications of accepting information.

Translations

Translations of the word "incredulity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 incredulidade

🇮🇳 अविश्वास

🇩🇪 Ungläubigkeit

🇮🇩 ketidakpercayaan

🇺🇦 невіра

🇵🇱 niedowierzanie

🇯🇵 不信

🇫🇷 incrédulité

🇪🇸 incredulidad

🇹🇷 şüphecilik

🇰🇷 불신

🇸🇦 عدم التصديق

🇨🇿 nedůvěra

🇸🇰 neuveriteľnosť

🇨🇳 不信

🇸🇮 nezačudenje

🇮🇸 vantrú

🇰🇿 сенімсіздік

🇬🇪 ურწმუნოობა

🇦🇿 inandırıcılıq

🇲🇽 incredulidad

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,799, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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21796 neuroscience
21797 unfavorably
21798 animating
21799 incredulity
21800 rebutted
21801 rehabilitative
21802 consoling
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