Synonyms of credence

credence

noun

ˈkrē-dᵊn(t)s 

1

as in confidence

firm belief in the integrity, ability, effectiveness, or genuineness of someone or something

I'm afraid I don't put much credence in common gossip

Synonyms & Similar Words

• confidence
• trust
• faith
• certainty
• assurance
• conviction
• stock
• acceptance
• certitude
• positiveness
• reliance
• hope
• surety
• credit
• assuredness
• sureness
• dependence

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distrust
• mistrust
• doubt
• disbelief
• incredulity
• skepticism
• uncertainty
• suspicion
• unbelief
• dubiety
• incertitude
• misgiving
• dubiousness
• disenchantment
• disillusionment
• disillusion
• misdoubt
• nonconfidence
• distrustfulness
• mistrustfulness
• uncertainness

2

as in belief

mental conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon

a foolish theory that, incredibly, once had wide credence among educated people

Synonyms & Similar Words

• belief
• credit
• assurance
• certainty
• axiom
• faith
• article of faith
• conviction
• principle
• confidence
• reliance
• doctrine
• law
• certitude
• tenet
• trust
• positiveness
• insistence
• precept
• philosophy
• dependence
• hope
• dogma
• sureness
• dogmatism
• fanaticism

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• doubt
• discredit
• disbelief
• unbelief
• uncertainty
• skepticism
• suspicion
• distrust
• mistrust
• nonbelief

Synonym Chooser

How is the word credence different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of credence are belief, credit, and faith. While all these words mean "assent to the truth of something offered for acceptance," credence suggests intellectual assent without implying anything about grounds for assent.

a theory now given credence by scientists

When is it sensible to use belief instead of credence?

In some situations, the words belief and credence are roughly equivalent. However, belief may or may not imply certitude in the believer.

my belief that I had caught all the errors

When is credit a more appropriate choice than credence?

The words credit and credence are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, credit may imply assent on grounds other than direct proof.

gave full credit to the statement of a reputable witness

Where would faith be a reasonable alternative to credence?

The meanings of faith and credence largely overlap; however, faith almost always implies certitude even where there is no evidence or proof.

an unshakable faith in God

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of credence

This research lends more credence to the idea that removing undemanding duties from workers’ days may inadvertently strip away the pauses that keep them cognitively locked in. —Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026

The proliferation of coaches who perform effectively the same job as licensed therapists without themselves being licensed might lend some credence to this view. —Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 9 Apr. 2026

Curry lent credence to their fantastical mission. —Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026

But unusual designs of some of the facilities, such as that of the Zitong River dome, lend some credence to DiNanno’s claims that China is overhauling its nuclear weapons program. —Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026