incredulity

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'incredulity' is correct and it is used in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of disbelief or astonishment. For example, "She reacted with incredulity when she heard the news that her son had won the championship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The Ukraine crisis is truly not a regional affair," she said, voicing incredulity that Putin's campaign could take place 25 years after Europe's division into two blocs ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The Guardian

I think it was with incredulity that anyone read the article," he said.

The Guardian

Diplomats and rights campaigners who have observed the trial expressed incredulity at the verdict.

The Guardian

"It's gone from something that was a fantasy among some members of the Tory party – John Redwood and people like that – to being a real prospect," he tells me, with a kind of anxious incredulity.

The Guardian

That has some experienced analysts – many of whom have witnessed speculative mining ventures come and go in Canada – raise their eyebrows in incredulity.

The Guardian - Money

Speaking to the Guardian at the end of 2014 she described her incredulity at the lack of action that drove her to start campaigning.

The Guardian

Verbals between the pair ensued, at which point Loustau booked Völler, ignoring the German's incredulity and accompanying invitation to examine the gobbet of spittle that had recently been deposited in his hair.

The Guardian - Sport

The response, across all parties, was open-mouthed incredulity.

The Guardian

The former Rangers owner Sir David Murray has reacted with "incredulity" to the threat of a £20m legal challenge from Dave King, a member of the troubled club's board.

The Guardian - Sport

"You rarely hear these people talk about Jesus anymore," said Boston, who despite his cynical tone possesses the incredulity only a true optimist could sustain.

The Guardian

I woke up on the morning after the general election speechless with incredulity, as horrified by what the people of my home country had done as Von Horvath was by what the people of his home country were doing in the 1930s.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incredulity" when you want to express a strong feeling of disbelief that also contains an element of surprise or shock. It is suitable when describing reactions to unexpected or seemingly impossible events.

Common error

Avoid using "incredulity" when a simple lack of knowledge or understanding is the cause of disbelief. "Incredulity" suggests a strong emotional reaction to something that defies belief, not just a neutral absence of knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The word "incredulity" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a state of disbelief or skepticism. As Ludwig AI confirms, it aptly describes unwillingness or inability to believe something. Examples show it used to describe reactions to surprising or seemingly impossible events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Incredulity" is a noun used to describe a state of disbelief, often mixed with surprise or shock. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates an unwillingness or inability to believe something. It is commonly found in neutral to formal contexts, such as news media and academic writing, and less so in casual conversation. When using "incredulity", ensure the context involves a surprising or unbelievable event, distinguishing it from simple skepticism or lack of knowledge. Synonyms like "disbelief", "skepticism", and "astonishment" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disbelief

Direct synonym, representing a state of not believing something.

unbelief

A state of not accepting something as true or real.

skepticism

Implies a questioning attitude or doubt towards claims or statements.

astonishment

Emphasizes surprise and amazement, often linked to disbelief.

doubt

A feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction.

distrust

Lack of confidence in the reliability or truthfulness of someone or something.

suspicion

A feeling or thought that something is possible, likely, or true, but without proof.

lack of faith

Absence of belief in something, particularly in a religious context.

cynicism

An inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest.

disillusionment

A feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be.

FAQs

How can I use "incredulity" in a sentence?

You can use "incredulity" to describe someone's reaction to surprising or unbelievable news. For instance, "She stared at the results with "incredulity", unable to accept that she had won."

What's a good alternative to "incredulity"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "disbelief", "skepticism", or "astonishment". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is "incredulity" formal or informal?

"Incredulity" is generally considered a neutral to formal term. It's suitable for use in news articles, academic papers, and professional settings, but might sound slightly out of place in very casual conversation.

What's the difference between "incredulity" and "skepticism"?

"Incredulity" is a state of disbelief, often mixed with surprise. "Skepticism", on the other hand, is a more considered attitude of questioning and doubt. You might feel incredulity at first, then adopt a stance of skepticism.