distrustful

adjective

dis·​trust·​ful (ˌ)dis-ˈtrəs(t)-fəl How to pronounce distrustful (audio)
: having or showing distrust
distrustfully adverb
distrustfulness noun

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
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.
However, many fans near the stage were distrustful and confused by the cameras and lights. Mark Gray, People.com, 8 July 2025 Deeply distrustful, the protest organizers feared that outside provocateurs would turn peaceful demonstrations ugly. Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 Most residents are already distrustful of Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza, which has devastated the Palestinian enclave and its two million residents. Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 13 June 2025 Several students said their affiliation drew hate speech from strangers and distrustful questions from family members and employers. Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for distrustful

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of distrustful was in 1589

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Cite this Entry

“Distrustful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distrustful. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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