Incredulous
Doubtful; unbelieving
adjectiveIncredulous
Doubtful; unbelieving
adjectiveImagine This
After hearing from the accused, the jurors found the story doubtful, and came to a conclusion that the man was guilty.
Sounds Like
in-KRED-yuh-luhs
Looks Like
in(not)credible (believable)
Remember This
Remember that incredulous comes from Latin incredulus meaning 'unbelieving'; the prefix in- negates, and cred- relates to belief. It is often confused with incredible, which means extraordinary or hard to believe.
Other Forms
Connect With
skepticism, disbelief, credulity, doubt
Note
Do not confuse incredulous with incredible. Incredulous describes a doubtful, unbelieving attitude; incredible describes something extraordinary or hard to believe.
Study Deeper
- The audience was incredulous at the magician's escape act.
- She gave an incredulous laugh when she learned she had won the contest.
From Latin incredulus 'unbelieving', formed from in- (not) + credulus (believing); related to the English word incredible.
Mnemonic: IN + CRED + UL + OUS = not credulous (not believing). Remember that 'cred' means believe and the prefix 'in-' negates it.
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Tangential
adjectiveDescribing something that is only superficially related to the main topic or digressing from it; also, in geometry, relating to or touching a tangent.
Deride
verbTo mock or ridicule someone; to express contempt for by laughing at or making fun of them.
Preclude
verbTo prevent something from happening; to make something impossible.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.
Adept
adjectiveHaving or showing a high level of skill or proficiency; very capable.