What does incredulousness mean?
Incredulousness is the feeling or condition of being deeply unable to believe what one has heard or seen, especially because it appears extraordinary, improbable, or contrary to expectation. It combines disbelief with astonishment and often suggests that a person is openly amazed rather than merely uncertain. The word is commonly used in formal and literary contexts, as well as in journalism and descriptions of reactions to surprising events. “Open incredulousness” presents the reaction visibly, while phrases such as “stare with incredulousness” emphasize a stunned or questioning response. Although the related word “incredulous” can describe a person, “incredulousness” names the state itself. It is useful where a writer wants to convey not just surprise, but a challenge to the apparent reality or credibility of what has occurred.
nounThe state of being unable to believe something because it seems surprising, improbable, or extraordinary. It expresses strong disbelief or astonishment.
- The state or expression of strong disbelief, astonishment, or surprise at something considered improbable or extraordinary.
"She stared at the impossible result with open incredulousness."
"Her incredulousness was obvious when she saw the supposedly empty room was full of people."
"The politician met with incredulousness after making the extraordinary claim."
The plural is grammatically possible but is rarely needed because the word usually describes a single, uncountable state or reaction.
"Their differing incredulousnesses reflected their very different backgrounds."
Incredulousness is the feeling of needing to ask, “Surely you can’t be serious?”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does incredulousness come from?
The word is formed in English from “incredulous,” which comes from Latin incredulus, a negative form built from in- and credere, “to believe.” The same Latin root produced “credulous,” meaning readily inclined to believe, and “credulity,” meaning willingness to believe without sufficient evidence. The suffix “-ness” forms an English noun indicating a state or quality.
Related word forms
How incredulousness is actually used
Usually formal or literary in style, though it is readily understood in everyday English. It describes a more pronounced sense of astonished disbelief than the commoner term “surprise.”
Easily confused with incredulousness
Disbelief is the general rejection of a claim, while incredulousness more strongly conveys astonishment at how unexpected or improbable something seems.