distrustful

adjective

dis·​trust·​ful (ˌ)dis-ˈtrəs(t)-fəl 

: having or showing distrust

distrustfully

(ˌ)dis-ˈtrəs(t)-fə-lē 

adverb

distrustfulness noun

Synonyms of distrustful

• skeptical
• suspicious
• cautious
• mistrustful
• careful

Examples of distrustful in a Sentence

she was distrustful of her boyfriend's claim of having saved the kitten from a raging fire

naturally distrustful of politicians who claim to have all the answers

Recent Examples on the Web

The problem was that voters seemed to shrug at the revelation, perhaps even then distrustful of politicians in general. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026

Rob-Will has the support of his adoring wildchild daughter, Oreana (Natalie Alyn Lind), but not of openly distrustful Rip, who gave the gun-toting Rob-Will that punch felt around the Dutton universe in their gas station first meeting. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 19 June 2026

This complicated web of lies, betrayals, and cover-ups leads her to be distrustful. — Literary Hub, 16 June 2026

Netanyahu – distrustful of the US’s diplomacy and raring for a return to war instead – had also just been handed a roadmap back to open conflict with Iran. — Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 9 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for distrustful

• mistrustful
• lustful
• trustful