incredulous
Refusing to believe
Incredulous describes the state of being unwilling or unable to believe something.
An incredulous person doubts what they're hearing or seeing: She gave him an incredulous look when he claimed to have met the president.
The word often appears in reactions to surprising or implausible claims.
Not to be confused with incredible, which describes the thing that strains belief rather than the person experiencing doubt.
Inclined to question claims
- dubiousOf uncertain reliability
- unconvincedNot yet believing
- doubtfulUncertain of truth
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
disbelieving · cynical · distrustful · mistrustful · leery · wary · suspicious · quizzical
Refusing to accept something
- unbelievingLacking faith or trust
- astonishedGreatly shocked, overwhelmed
- astoundedOverwhelmed by surprise
- dumbfoundedRendered speechless by surprise
flabbergasted · gobsmacked · thunderstruck · stupefied · agog · aghast · nonplussed · slack-jawed
Thoroughly puzzled and confused
- baffledUtterly unable to understand
- perplexedThoroughly confused, uncertain
- puzzledConfused by something unclear
- confoundedThoroughly puzzled or frustrated
confused · mystified · befuddled · disconcerted · thrown · caught off guard · wrongfooted · disoriented
skeptical
Inclined to question claims
- dubiousOf uncertain reliability
- unconvincedNot yet believing
- doubtfulUncertain of truth
questioning · disbelieving · cynical · distrustful · mistrustful · leery · wary · suspicious · quizzical · raised eyebrow
disbelieving
Refusing to accept something
- unbelievingLacking faith or trust
- astonishedGreatly shocked, overwhelmed
- astoundedOverwhelmed by surprise
dumbfounded · flabbergasted · gobsmacked · thunderstruck · stupefied · agog · aghast · nonplussed · slack-jawed · wide-eyed
bewildered
Thoroughly puzzled and confused
- baffledUtterly unable to understand
- perplexedThoroughly confused, uncertain
- puzzledConfused by something unclear
confounded · confused · mystified · befuddled · disconcerted · thrown · caught off guard · wrongfooted · disoriented · at a loss
shocked
Deeply startled or appalled
- stunnedShocked into speechlessness
- startledAbruptly surprised or alarmed
- joltedAbruptly shaken or startled
shaken · alarmed · horrified · appalled · dismayed · aghast · recoiling · gasping · jaw-dropping · eye-popping
incredulouscredulous
Prone to blind trust
gullible · trusting · believing · uncritical · unquestioning