incredulity

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   disbelief or doubt about something

   The news was met with incredulity by the public.

2. 2
   noun

   a feeling of unbelieving surprise or astonishment

   The magic trick was performed with such skill that it inspired incredulity in the audience.

3. 3
   noun

   a refusal or reluctance to believe

   She regarded his excuse with open incredulity.

4. 4
   noun

   shocked disbelief, especially mixed with scorn

   He stared at the claim with a mixture of incredulity and contempt.

From Latin in- ('not') + credere ('to believe'), forming incredulitas ('unbelief'); via Old French incredulité into Middle English incredulity ('skepticism', 14th c.) and Modern English incredulity ('disbelief; skepticism').

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