noun

incredulity

in-kruh-DOO-luh-tee/ˌɪnkrəˈduːləti/

Unwillingness or inability to believe something.

The listener regards the exaggerated fish-size gesture with incredulity.

An adult looks disbelieving at an obviously exaggerated fish-size gesture from another adult beside a tiny real fish; refusal to believe, no dialogue.

Etymology

inLatinnot

+credulLatintrustful, easily believing

+ityLatinstate or quality

Negating the idea of readily believing produces “unbelieving”; the noun ending makes this a state of mind. Incredulity names that disbelief rather than the thing that prompts it.

In context

Libranima174:39

here is my sword, that will compel incredulity itself to give credence to it.

Don Quixote - Cervantes (Illustrated Audiobook) Part 3 of 4

More examples

His claim that he never sleeps is met with incredulity.
I hear incredulity in her voice when I announce my plans.
Their initial incredulity fades as they examine the evidence.

Forms

incredulous adjective — Unwilling or unable to believe something.

Similar words

disbelief: Names the lack of belief, without necessarily expressing surprise.
skepticism: Emphasizes questioning claims rather than finding something hard to believe.