incredulous

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈkre-jə-ləs How to pronounce incredulous (audio)
Definition of incredulousnext
1
as in skeptical
inclined to doubt or question claims incredulous by nature, I'm of course very suspicious of anyone who claims to be able to communicate with the dead

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in incredible
too extraordinary or improbable to believe an incredulous account of alien abduction that the tabloids had a field day with

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of incredulous Passenger Gets Unexpected Reaction To Her Seat Swap Offer For Couple By Darlin Tillery Life & Trends Reporter 2 An incredulous passenger is calling out airplane seat-swappers after their refusal apparently led to a backlash from other travelers and a flight attendant. — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025 When the late-night host pushed further, asking if the actor had experienced any close encounters himself, Harrelson was incredulous. — Shania Russell, EW.com, 26 Feb. 2025 Lawmakers were incredulous at times, struggling to decide to where to press them for details. — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2025 To their credit, most of the aldermen who attended the hearing were incredulous. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for incredulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incredulous
  1. skeptical
  2. incredible
  3. suspicious
  4. unlikely
  5. cautious
  6. impossible
  7. unbelievable
  8. ridiculous
Adjective
  • Still, learning to think like a historian does not necessarily prepare someone to be a skeptical news consumer.
    — Lightning Jay, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2025
  • On the surface, the creamy tomato dish with citrusy greens has all the makings of a dinner that seems too good to be true—minimal prep, a handful of ingredients, and only one pot to clean up afterward—so naturally lots of folks are skeptical.
    — Audrey Bruno, SELF, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of skeptical
Adjective
  • Sir Elton has exemplified these ideals throughout his extraordinary career, not only with his incredible musical catalogue and immense talent but also championing emerging artists across genres and using his global platform to inspire transformational humanistic change.
    — Paul Grein, Billboard, 20 Mar. 2025
  • This tech — along with the incredible support system of my parents, brothers, management team and eventually, my wife — significantly decreased the mental burden of managing my diabetes and in turn, empowered me to not let diabetes define my capabilities.
    — Nick Jonas, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of incredible
Adjective
  • Collins is heading for a reckoning with coastal moderates who may have given her a pass in 2020 but will be more suspicious now.
    — Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
  • After all, Burt’s intentions have been suspicious all season.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of suspicious
Adjective
  • What the economy is now experiencing, partially a result of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies dampening economic growth forecasts and renewing concerns about inflation, is unlikely to prompt Fed officials to so much as whisper stagflation to one another.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 20 Mar. 2025
  • But impeachment and removal are unlikely under the current makeup of Congress.
    — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of unlikely
Adjective
  • Some loyal Tesla bulls are treating the drop as a temporary setback (or even a buying opportunity), while more cautious investors are rethinking their exposure.
    — Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Slow down and stay cautious: On wet roads, slowing down is paramount.
    — Southern California Weather Report, Orange County Register, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • These individuals, often without any formal guidebook, push their bodies to do what most believe is impossible.
    — Tony Bradley, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • But that is impossible if one of the parties is in the middle of a complete breakdown.
    — Alexander Nazaryan, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of impossible
Adjective
  • On the other hand, a first back-to-back win in qualifying would be an unbelievable achievement for Chile and blow the qualifying race wide open.
    — Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The Yale men’s basketball program, over a 10-year period, has made ‘unbelievable feelings’ all very easy to believe.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of unbelievable
Adjective
  • Brendan Gallagher scored a goal in that game on the power play, taking a ridiculous feed from Andrei Markov in the slot and converting, blowing the roof off the building.
    — Arpon Basu, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Bam Adebayo only taking seven shots each in the last two games is ridiculous.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of ridiculous

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Cite this Entry

“Incredulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incredulous. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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