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

• disbelieving
• doubting
• incredulous
• mistrustful
• negativistic
• questioning
• show-me
• skeptical
• suspecting
• suspicious
• unbelieving

Example Sentences

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

Big John’s equally distrustful of Sarah on account of her surname, but frankly BJ hasn’t shown himself to be the most reliable co-conspirator either, so let’s first address the plank in our own eye, Johnny. —Lauren Puckett-pope, ELLE, 25 Feb. 2023

Initially distrustful of this newcomer, Bill reluctantly offers Frank shelter and a meal. —Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 30 Jan. 2023

Weinberger, an architect of the military buildup and strategy of confrontation during Reagan’s first term, remained intransigent and distrustful of the Kremlin. —David E. Hoffman, Washington Post, 11 Jan. 2023

Mark Weaver, a Republican strategist, said Republican voters, right or wrong, have become distrustful of early voting. —Andrew J. Tobias, cleveland, 22 Oct. 2022

Counterfeit mummies flooded the market, and practitioners became distrustful. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 26 July 2022

But Big John, distrustful of both Sarah and his son, keeps the last bit of the riddle to himself, further complicating matters when Singh and Ward show up with guns. —Lauren Puckett-pope, ELLE, 25 Feb. 2023

Yang began to understand why her mother was so deeply distrustful of the South and was instead drawn to the North. —Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2023

As the trailer previews, Blue seemingly has a baby, but when it’s kidnapped by humans, Blue grows distrustful and turns on Grady, who sets out to get the baby raptor back and restore his connection with Blue. —Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Apr. 2022

See More

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined above