SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
gullible
adjective
Too ready to believe claims and therefore easily deceived.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Easily deceived
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topGullible criticizes readiness to believe deceptive claims; trusting can be a positive quality.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See gullible in use
The fable warns a gullible traveler to question promises of effortless riches.
Sal's friend Vic was overconfident about spotting valuable prints after watching a single introductory demonstration. He became gullible when a stranger's unsupported story about a supposedly rare edition persuaded him without any attempt to check it.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license