English Dictionary

Definition of “credulous

credulous (ˈkrɛdjʊləsPronunciation for credulous

Definitions

adjective

  1. tending to believe something on little evidence
  2. arising from or characterized by credulity  ⇒ credulous beliefs 

Alternative Forms

ˈcredulously adverb ˈcredulousness noun

Word Origin

C16: from Latin crēdulus,  from crēdere to believe

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= gullible, trusting, unsuspecting, naive or naïve uncritical, green, born yesterday wet behind the ears, unsuspicious as green as grass dupable, overtrusting

Usage examples

  • Could it be that from the credulous jaws of defeat, I would somehow wrest a victorious deception?
    Edward Docx, THE CALLIGRAPHER (2003)
  • Eventually, though, even the most accommodating (and the most credulous ) investors demand to see the colour of their money.
    Business Today (2002)
  • To him, easy applause, in front of credulous audiences, is everything.
    New Zealand Herald (2004)
  • Much of Coelho's appeal to this credulous hippy demographic stems from the image he has cultivated as a mystical seer.
    Times, Sunday Times (2002)
  • Hermann's piety could be naive and credulous as well as enlightened and critical.
    Ozment, Stephen, Protestants (1992)

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