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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 On several occasions, Lakers players were incredulous after calls — or no-calls — from the crew. — ABC News, 8 May 2026 On several occasions throughout the game, Lakers players were incredulous after calls – or non-calls – from the crew. — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 8 May 2026 Fellow vegans in the comments were incredulous — what of the bear cub carcass Kennedy claimed to have dumped in Central Park or his lifelong interest in hunting? — Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026 Starmer’s explanation was greeted with jeers from opposition lawmakers, incredulous that the nation’s leader hadn’t known such a crucial piece of information. — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026 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
  • Deeply skeptical of his diplomatic attempts with Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could view the president’s comments as an opening to continue operations both in Lebanon, against Hezbollah, or in Iran itself.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
  • As recently as last year, the bank’s executives were skeptical that ventures known for such voracious capital spending would be able to sustain their business models.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 July 2026
Definition of skeptical
Adjective
  • In the 29th minute, Argentina sent a pass toward the net, and Messi beat the defense with an incredible first step.
    — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 4 July 2026
  • Cape Verde came astonishingly close to taking defending champions Argentina all the way to penalties, eventually falling to a 3-2 extra-time defeat despite an incredible goal from full-back Sidny Lopes Cabral.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of incredible
Adjective
  • Nile finds himself in a cat-and-mouse dynamic with his new neighbor (Claire Danes), an author in search of her next book subject who is suspicious of his innocence.
    — Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • But by playing coy about next steps, Hamas has given observers and critics plenty of reasons to be suspicious about this latest development.
    — Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 8 July 2026
Definition of suspicious
Adjective
  • Some analysts, however, think a deal is unlikely because the company would not want to be saddled with a broadcast network.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • The motion is unlikely to pass, but indicates how deeply politicized the issue has become.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Definition of unlikely
Adjective
  • Consumer confidence ticked up in June after weeks of anxiety tied to the conflict, though people remain cautious as worries about jobs and prices persist.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026
  • Gymshark’s growth has slowed as competition has intensified and consumers have become more cautious about spending.
    — Robert Olsen, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • The ombudsmen point to impossible care burdens that cause burnout, irregular schedules, lack of training and the difficulty of taking care of seniors who, in previous decades, would have qualified for hospital care.
    — Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 5 July 2026
  • Shrouded completely in a thick, poisonous cloud cover, its surface is obviously impossible to observe.
    — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 5 July 2026
Definition of impossible
Adjective
  • The most unbelievable moment of the entire event came down to the elements.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • The bread there is genuinely unbelievable…and the baba ganoush!
    — Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of unbelievable
Adjective
  • Houssem Aouar finally spied a gap in the Austrian defence and sent Mahrez through to score, sparking jubilation before Sasa Kalajdzic’s header confirmed a ridiculous ending to a game that was dramatic, bleak and then dramatic again.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • This laptop can absolutely handle a ridiculous number of tabs.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 4 July 2026
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 9 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on incredulous

Nglish: Translation of incredulous for Spanish Speakers

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