gullible

USAGE SUMMARY

"gullible" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is easily tricked or deceived, for example "She was so gullible that she believed every story he told her".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What he failed to realise was that the British public are very gullible, and if you keep telling them something for long enough, there's a chance they'll believe it.

The Guardian - Books

To keep its grip, the regime uses its network of personal and official ties to Britain's too pliant monarchy, to gullible congressional politicians, and to business and investment leaders overly impressed by its $1tn £660bnn) in cash reserves and its global investment portfolio.

The Guardian

Aphex Twin has returned to the theme of 9/11 in a new interview, saying those who believe the official story about the attacks on the twin towers are "absolutely gullible".

The Guardian - Music

Being a thief is banal but writing about it is magnificent and with this exhibitionist act of tedious subversion, I have recreated myself once more as gullible, European radicals reclaim me for their own.

The Guardian - Books

For most of the noughties, the majority of British politicians, economists and voters were just as gullible as that viewing couple: we accepted as real and glorious what was patently fake and plastic.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The people of Scotland are not gullible.

The Guardian

If retailers are gullible enough to take goods back, they think, then more fool them.

The Economist

Mr Schröder's popularity has taken a dive, while a song accusing him of fleecing gullible voters by raising taxes is top of the pops.

The Economist

And now Gulliver is left feeling rather gullible.

The Economist

The simple trading advice conveyed by charts is, for CNBC's stock-tip-hungry viewers, manna from heaven.But technical analysis is not merely for gullible CNBC-watchers.

The Economist

They rely at best on a seasoned reporter's ability to interpret what his sources tell him about bids, offers and deals, and at worst on a gullible greenhorn's guesswork.The standardised commodity contracts that trade transparently on busy exchanges do not always cater to the many different specifications required by industry.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "gullible", provide context to illustrate how they were deceived or what specific beliefs they hold that make them susceptible to manipulation.

Common error

Avoid labeling entire groups of people as "gullible". It's more accurate and respectful to focus on specific instances of misplaced trust or susceptibility to deception.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "gullible" primarily functions to describe a person or entity that is easily persuaded to believe something; often something untrue or unlikely. Ludwig examples show it modifying nouns like "voters", "investors", and "politicians".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "gullible" is used to describe someone easily tricked or deceived, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. With a very common frequency of use, it is mostly seen in news and media, formal business, and science contexts. While grammatically correct, it's important to use "gullible" with care to avoid overgeneralization or unfair labeling. Consider alternatives like ""naïve"" or "credulous" depending on the desired nuance. The primary communicative purpose is often to critique or explain how someone was misled. Authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian frequently employ this term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easily deceived

Focuses on the act of deception and the ease with which someone is misled.

easily fooled

Similar to 'easily deceived' but emphasizes the act of fooling someone through trickery.

easily tricked

Directly states the vulnerability to being tricked.

naïve

Implies a lack of experience or worldly knowledge, making someone trusting and therefore susceptible.

credulous

Highlights a readiness to believe things without sufficient evidence.

unsuspecting

Suggests a lack of awareness of potential danger or deception.

innocent

Similar to "naïve" but focuses on moral purity and lack of guile.

trusting

Emphasizes the positive trait of trust, which can be exploited by others.

exploitable

Focuses on the vulnerability of someone who is easily taken advantage of.

duped

Highlights the result of being deceived, emphasizing the victim's state.

FAQs

How can I use "gullible" in a sentence?

You can use "gullible" to describe someone who is easily tricked or deceived, for example: "He was so "naïve" and gullible that he fell for the scam."

What can I say instead of "gullible"?

You can use alternatives like ""naïve"", "credulous", or "easily deceived" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "gullible" or "credulous"?

"Gullible" and "credulous" are both correct, but "gullible" is generally more common in everyday language. "Credulous" suggests a greater willingness to believe, even with limited evidence.

What's the difference between "gullible" and "naive"?

"Gullible" implies being easily tricked, while "naive" suggests a lack of experience or worldly knowledge that makes someone trusting and potentially vulnerable. A naive person may not necessarily be "gullible", but their innocence can make them more susceptible.