credulous

[krej-uh-luhs]

adjective

1. willing to believe or trust too readily, especially without proper or adequate evidence; gullible.

   Synonyms: unsuspecting, trustful

2. marked by or arising from credulity.

   a credulous rumor.

credulous

/ ˈkrɛdjʊləs /

adjective

1. tending to believe something on little evidence

2. arising from or characterized by credulity

   credulous beliefs

Other Word Forms

• credulously adverb
• credulousness noun
• noncredulous adjective
• noncredulously adverb
• noncredulousness noun
• overcredulous adjective
• overcredulously adverb
• overcredulousness noun
• uncredulous adjective
• uncredulously adverb
• uncredulousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of credulous¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin crēdulus, equivalent to crēdere “to believe” + -ulus adjective suffix denoting a quality or tendency; -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of credulous¹

C16: from Latin crēdulus, from crēdere to believe

Example Sentences

The notion that being trans is a "social contagion" has blossomed into a full-blown moral panic, widely accepted by credulous mainstream media.

From Salon

With the 9/11 attacks not far in the past, Bush enjoyed months of credulous press coverage for his lies.

From Salon

Liz is a compelling creation, at once smart, sassy and wily, and there is fun to be had watching her slickly outwit credulous individuals.

From Los Angeles Times

Enough people are credulous or at least disingenuous enough to think that "I'm a woman, which means I can't hate other women" is an actual argument.

From Salon

Unlike cis women, who are about half the population, trans people are a small and vulnerable minority, making it far easier to demonize them, especially to credulous centrists.

From Salon