belief may or may not imply certitude in the believer.
my belief that I had caught all the errors
faith almost always implies certitude even where there is no evidence or proof.
an unshakable faith in God
credence suggests intellectual assent without implying anything about grounds for assent.
a theory now given credence by scientists
credit may imply assent on grounds other than direct proof.
gave full credit to the statement of a reputable witness
Example Sentences
The theory is gaining credence among scientists. I'm afraid I don't put much credence in common gossip.
Recent Examples on the WebResurrecting the methods of 15th-century witch hunts, officials rounded up and tortured migrants in hopes of eliciting confessions; figures as esteemed as Martin Luther gave credence to theories of a papal plot to incinerate Protestant towns. John Last, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Sep. 2022 With December approaching, cable news couldn’t resist the drama, broadcasting segments that gave credence to outlandish theories. Steve Adelman, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2022 The probability of this all coinciding — the rain on cue following a rare hit with a runner in scoring position — gave credence to the adage that anything can happen at the ballpark. Andy Kostka, Baltimore Sun, 22 May 2022 Which is not to give any credence to expectations or hardcore fan hopes of a live-action film based on Affleck’s Batman script, or of an Affleck live-action TV series. Mark Hughes, Forbes, 31 July 2022 Beijing sees official visits by high-ranking foreigners as lending support to pro-independence camps and giving credence to the idea of Taiwan as a sovereign nation. Erin Cunningham, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2022 Buyers lend credence to products that have made appearances in the media. Colby Flood, Forbes, 13 June 2022 To me, this suggests another reason why the earlier release date discussed below has credence. David Phelan, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 The unexpected discovery of a 16th-century horse tooth in modern-day Haiti has provided credence for an age-old folk story about the origin of feral horses on an island off Maryland and Virginia. Zoe Sottile, CNN, 7 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin credentia, from Latin credent-, credens, present participle of credere to believe, trust — more at creed