overcredulous
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: Excessively willing to believe or trust something or someone, to a degree that is unwise or not in one's own best interest. It describes a state of being gullible beyond a reasonable or prudent level.
Usage
The adjective "overcredulous" is used to describe a person or their attitude. It is a formal or literary term that critiques a lack of healthy skepticism. It is typically used in contexts discussing judgment, belief, deception, or persuasion.
Examples
- The overcredulous investors lost their savings by believing the salesman's impossible promises.
- She was overcredulous about the email's claims and nearly fell for the phishing scam.
- His overcredulous nature made him an easy target for conspiracy theories.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in analytical or critical writing to describe a character flaw or a societal tendency.
- The author argues that the public's overcredulous acceptance of media narratives is a danger to democracy.
Variants and Related Words
- Credulous (adj): Willing to believe or trust too readily, without proper evidence. ("Overcredulous" is an intensified form of "credulous".)
- Credulity (n): A tendency to be too ready to believe that something is real or true.
- Overcredulity (n): The state or quality of being overcredulous.
Synonyms
- Gullible
- Naive
- Trusting
- Unsuspecting
- Dupable
Antonyms
- Skeptical
- Cynical
- Distrustful
- Suspicious
- Discerning
Adjective
- too credulous for your own good