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

• inˈcredulousness, noun
• inˈcredulously, adverb

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

He was incredulous it didn’t happen at some point before the October resumption.

From BBC

In another painting, a masked Indigenous warrior presented himself to an incredulous saint who poked a finger into his side, much like the biblical scene of the apostle Thomas with Christ after his resurrection.

From Los Angeles Times

Streets were closed by Hezbollah members, some looking incredulous as the attack represented another humiliating blow in a week which saw pagers and walkie-talkies belonging to the group explode.

From BBC

Those gathered looked at each other, some incredulous.

From BBC

The shaking lasted only a few seconds, and she deftly returned to the video call with Lobo, who understandably wore an incredulous expression.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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