noun

credence

KREE-dunts/ˈkriːdns/

Acceptance that something is true.

The physical evidence gives credence to the account she is hearing.

A skeptical listener studies a clear physical piece of evidence and begins to accept the account.

Etymology

Credence names a state of believing or trusting. Its early English meaning particularly concerned accepting facts not personally witnessed, so giving something credence means treating it as worthy of belief.

In context

Intrinsically Ordered Podcast with Cade Bradley71:19

But the specific events of Acts are not generally given a lot of historical credence by critical scholars. Um specifically the sort of mass conversions in Jerusalem is not necessarily true.

Is the Resurrection of Jesus A Historical Fact? Atheists Respond to EVERY Resurrection Claim(Part 1)

More examples

I place little credence in an anonymous rumor.
Several witnesses lend credence to the explanation.
His inconsistent answers weaken the credence we give his story.

Forms

credence

Similar words

belief: The broader acceptance that something is true.
trust: Trust can concern reliability or intention; credence is acceptance of a claim as true.