incredulous

[ in-krej-uh-luhs ]

adjective

1. not credulous; disinclined or indisposed to believe; skeptical
2. indicating or showing unbelief:

   an incredulous smile.

incredulous

/ ɪnˈkrɛdjʊləs /

adjective

1. often foll by of not prepared or willing to believe (something); unbelieving

Derived Forms

• inˈcredulously, adverb
• inˈcredulousness, noun

Other Words From

• in·cred·u·lous·ly adverb
• in·cred·u·lous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of incredulous¹

From the Latin word incrēdulus, dating back to 1525–35; in- ³, credulous

Synonym Study

See doubtful.

Example Sentences

Despite his siblings’ blank looks and incredulous scoffs, he continues to spew his fantasy for the future—an unholy blend of hollow corporate jargon masquerading as self-actualization and shallow appeals to a sibling bond that does not exist.

From The Daily Beast

Men’s Olympic sprints traffic heavily in machismo and self-assurance, so an incredulous victor is a rarity on the track.

From FiveThirtyEight

Sounding incredulous, she told her TikTok followers that she was “blown away at the constitutional rights they’re signing away.”

From Time

A live reporter heard every play call, every incredulous objection to a ref, every exuberant spurt of trash talk.

From Washington Post

The Velvet Underground regaled an incredulous New Jersey high school with their classic song “Heroin.”

From Time

I tried this twice and both drivers gave me an incredulous look before driving off.

From The Daily Beast

At the time, critics were incredulous that the show would work.

From The Daily Beast

Discussing the popular television program All in the Family, Nixon was incredulous at a positive portrayal of gay characters.

From The Daily Beast

On Wednesday, Republican Senator John McCain was incredulous about this decision.

From The Daily Beast

For the judge who is incredulous, Martin again offers two simple words: “Excuuuuuse me!”

From The Daily Beast

As they walked along, he listened with trembling, half-incredulous hope to Jos's interpretation of Aunt Ri's voluble narrative.

From Project Gutenberg

Of the astonishment of her parents and Dorothy's wild, almost incredulous delight, there is no need to tell.

From Project Gutenberg

On hearing this most unexpected sound, Mr. Bumble looked first incredulous, and afterwards, amazed.

From Project Gutenberg

We told him we should probably want it at 7:30, and he looked at us in an incredulous manner.

From Project Gutenberg

I had expected to find quantities of charred black paper, with possibly some fragments of binding, and was quite incredulous.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• doubtful
• hesitant
• quizzical
• skeptical
• suspicious
• unconvinced
• unsatisfied