incredulity

/ˌɪnkrəˈdjuːləti/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪnkrəˈduːləti/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin-kri-ˈdü-lə-tē -ˈdyü-/ (ame, mw)

incredulity — noun

1. the state of finding something so surprising or unlikely that you are unwilling

1.名詞C1
釋義

the state of finding something so surprising or unlikely that you are unwilling to accept it as true, often shown by a shocked expression or a questioning reaction

例句

Emeka stared at the email in incredulity when the promotion letter arrived without any warning.

collocation: stared ... in incredulity

Deepa listened to her colleague's excuse with incredulity, knowing the real reason for the delay.

collocation: listened ... with incredulity

同義詞
  • disbelief

    the closest synonym; slightly less emotional and more neutral than incredulity

  • skepticism

    emphasises an active questioning or demanding of proof, rather than emotional shock

  • doubt

    less intense; implies uncertainty rather than outright refusal to believe

  • suspicion

    adds a sense of distrust toward the source of information

反義詞
  • belief

    acceptance that something is true

  • credulity

    willingness to believe things too easily, the opposite of skeptical caution

文法句型

incredulity (about/at/toward something)

with incredulity

用法筆記

Incredulity is uncountable and is not used in the plural. It often describes a reaction to surprising news or unexpected claims. The adjective form is 'incredulous' (e.g. 'an incredulous look'), which is more common in everyday speech than the noun.

常見錯誤

❌The story was greeted with incredulities from the audience.
✅The story was greeted with incredulity from the audience.
💡incredulity is uncountable and has no plural form.
❌I felt incredulity about his honesty.' (meaning general doubt about someone's character)
✅I felt incredulity at his claim that he had never made a mistake.
💡incredulity is reserved for specific surprising claims or events, not for general character judgments.