Definition

Noun: * The state of being unwilling or unable to believe something; disbelief or skepticism. It refers to a feeling of doubt about the truth or reality of a statement, event, or situation, often because it seems surprising, shocking, or unlikely.

Usage

"Incredulity" is an uncountable noun used to describe a person's mental or emotional state. It is often expressed through facial expressions, tone of voice, or specific phrases. * It is commonly used with verbs like express, meet with, greet with, be met with, be filled with, and be met by. * It is often followed by the preposition "at" when specifying the cause of the disbelief (e.g., incredulity at the news).

Examples

• The scientist's bold claim was met with widespread incredulity from her peers.
• She stared at him in incredulity, unable to process what he had just said.
• His story was so far-fetched that it only provoked incredulity.
• There was a note of incredulity in her voice when she asked, "You did ?"
• The public's initial incredulity at the election results gradually turned to anger.

Advanced Usage

• "To one's incredulity": This phrase is used to describe a situation that causes someone to feel disbelief.
  • Much to my incredulity, the plan actually worked.
• "A look/sound/expression of incredulity": Describes the non-verbal communication of disbelief.
  • He responded with a look of pure incredulity.

Variants and Related Words

• Incredulous (adjective): Unwilling or unable to believe something; showing disbelief.
  • She gave him an incredulous stare.
• Credulity (noun): A tendency to be too ready to believe that something is real or true (the opposite of incredulity).
• Incredulousness (noun): A less common synonym for "incredulity."

Synonyms

• Disbelief
• Skepticism
• Doubt
• Distrust
• Mistrust
• Cynicism (implies a general tendency to doubt)

Antonyms

• Belief
• Credulity
• Trust
• Conviction
• Certainty

Idioms and Common Phrases

• "To be greeted with incredulity": To be received with widespread disbelief.
  • The proposal was greeted with incredulity by the board.
• "A gasp of incredulity": A sudden, sharp intake of breath expressing shock and disbelief.
  • A gasp of incredulity swept through the courtroom.

Noun

1. doubt about the truth of something