CREDENCE Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

credence

noun

ˈkrē-dᵊn(t)s

Definition of credence

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of credence Trump may have inadvertently lent credence to that case this week. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 28 July 2026 But signs of El Niño are starting to show up in other global-scale atmospheric wind and weather patterns, including the Walker Circulation, according to Lowry, which lends more credence to the idea that El Niño has its finger on the scales. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 18 July 2026 Any allegation against the Jewish state, no matter how outlandish, is immediately given credence. — Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 But the darkness of that material gave her credence to explore another unsettling backstory for Krem. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for credence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for credence

Noun

In the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the same updating Gallup survey, forty-nine per cent of college graduates expressed confidence in the job market, compared to forty-four percent of respondents who had less than a college degree.

— Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026
When asked on Monday if the team has the talent to improve at center, Quinn reiterated his confidence in Washington’s trio of Allegretti, Good-Jones and Gulbin.

— Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of confidence

Noun

Contrary to popular belief, good skin care doesn’t require you to blow through your entire beauty maintenance budget.

— Essence Wiley, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
The attention Everytime received in Cannes – and now the jury’s confidence in the film – reinforce our belief that cinema needs distinctive voices with the courage to follow their own form and, precisely by doing so, reach audiences across borders.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of belief

Noun

But cultivating consumer trust, as opposed to pursuing rapid product expansion and chasing virality, has become a defining — and differentiating — aspect of Westman Atelier’s go-to-market model.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
Her father, a former pro football player, was a trusts and estates lawyer in White Plains, New York, where Nancy and her two brothers grew up.

— Robert D. Mcfadden, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of trust

Noun

Finite’s founder, Amy Gardner, has producing credits on the likes of And Then Come the Nightjars, La Bohème, Honeytrap, and My House, and worked on the stage productions of Nuclear Children and The Joy of Text.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
The Pro plan includes 1 million credits per month, plus the option to generate up to 450,000 additional monthly credits at no cost.

— StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of credit

Noun

While the public messaging centered on their faith in Painter, the organization had concerns that Painter had not yet made the proper adjustments to succeed in the majors.

— Matt Gelb, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
The organization has formed a coalition with 70 other groups, including faith leaders, business executives, unions and other voting rights advocates.

— Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of faith

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crèches

credence

credences

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“Credence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/credence. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of credence

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