credulous
This word is more formal than "gullible." While both mean that someone believes things too easily, "credulous" is often used in writing or professional contexts. It usually carries a negative tone because it suggests a lack of critical thinking or a failure to be skeptical when necessary.
💬Casual Conversation
🎬Tuesday afternoon, Sarah is on her third coffee break while David is in a boardroom.
David Smith
Just saw a pitch for AI-powered socks. I'm thinking of buying into it.
Sarah
Stop being so credulous and just get back to the spreadsheet.
💡
Sarah uses 'credulous' to criticize David's gullibility regarding a ridiculous business pitch. She pairs this with a blunt command to return to work, highlighting their strained manager-subordinate dynamic where she is the more grounded of the two.