incredulously

[ in-krej-uh-luhs-lee ]

adverb

1. in a way that indicates or shows disbelief:

   He looked incredulously at the lime jello embedded with tuna and mini marshmallows and asked, "Do people actually eat that?"

2. to a degree that is very difficult to believe; incredibly:

   And then the defendant made a statement that was so incredulously stupid I had to laugh.

Usage Note

Are incredulously and incredibly synonyms? See incredibly ( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of incredulously¹

First recorded in 1800–10; incredulous ( def ) + -ly ( def )

Example Sentences

Harris said incredulously, adding that Trump tends to insult cities that have historically had majority-Black populations.

From Los Angeles Times

Harris spent the majority of the debate looking directly at her opponent, often smirking, laughing out loud, or shaking her head incredulously while he answered questions.

From BBC

With tears still in her puffy eyes, Jenn incredulously shakes her head.

From Salon

Trump incredulously continued to insist it was Brown aboard the crippled chopper and claimed he had maintenance records and logs to prove it.

From Los Angeles Times

Toward the end of my relationship, my then partner shook his head incredulously.

From Salon