Definition of DISTRUSTING

Examples of distrust in a Sentence

Noun

He has a distrust of doctors. the psychic's bold claims were greeted with distrust and outright scorn

Verb

She's always distrusted their promises. we instinctively distrust those phone calls that tell us we have won a free vacation or car

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

With public distrust at its peak over the size, power and business practices of the tech industry’s biggest companies, Smith has assumed the role of unofficial global ambassador for the industry. — Romesh Ratnesar/redmond, Time, "How Microsoft's Brad Smith is Trying to Restore Your Trust in Big Tech," 8 Sep. 2019 The efforts of the country’s putative leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, have been undermined both by the army and by distrust among ethnic groups of her National League for Democracy. — The Economist, "A Chinese development scheme complicates Myanmar’s ethnic conflicts," 29 Aug. 2019 The near death of the beloved former ballplayer made international headlines, and the subsequent investigation has sparked rampant skepticism in a country with a strong distrust of law enforcement. — Aimee Ortiz, BostonGlobe.com, "David Ortiz hires former BPD head to look into his shooting," 25 Aug. 2019 The police took up to an hour to respond to emergency calls, prompting accusations that there was collusion between the police and the mob -- and leading to further distrust of authorities among protesters. — Julia Hollingsworth, CNN, "Hong Kong protests: The evolution of a movement," 16 Aug. 2019 These are the things that have forced law enforcement agencies to reckon with the distrust and the accusations of discrimination. — Sue Mcmillin, The Denver Post, "McMillin: De’Von Bailey’s family shouldn’t have to request a truly independent investigation," 13 Aug. 2019 Efforts to treat Ebola have been hampered by widespread distrust of health workers among residents of eastern Congo. — oregonlive, "Ebola cure? Scientists discover two highly effective drugs," 13 Aug. 2019 Efforts to treat Ebola have been hampered by widespread distrust of health workers among residents of eastern Congo. — Claire Parker, Washington Post, "Ebola no longer ‘incurable,’ scientists say, after discovery of two highly effective drugs," 12 Aug. 2019 Instead of celebrating Love for her reinvention, her second act was always questioned, picked apart, and greeted with distrust. — Lisawhill, Longreads, "Live Through This: Courtney Love at 55," 9 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The president and the spy agencies both entertain the Washington press corps by actively distrusting and demonizing the other. — Jefferson Morley, The New Republic, "Democrats Are Trapped in Trump’s “Deep State” War," 16 Sep. 2019 In Baltimore, there are good reasons to distrust the police. — The Economist, "Baltimore needs help to fix its crime problems," 1 Aug. 2019 Black families with good reason to distrust the court system and who tend to avoid wills, have been losing their land to white investors at an alarming rate. — Ellen Mcgirt, Fortune, "A Reminder of the Power of Art: raceAhead," 17 July 2019 Not many people meet those requirements either, but one who does, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, is widely distrusted and even feared on all sides as being more wobbly than his boss on such matters as democracy and civil liberties. — John O'sullivan, National Review, "Brexit: The Rubik’s Cube of British Politics," 12 Aug. 2019 The success rate excludes those who distrusted health workers and fled, or those who couldn't be found in the first place. — NBC News, "Ebola vaccine hampered by deep distrust in eastern Congo," 25 July 2019 Democrats openly disdain him as a saboteur, while many key Republicans distrust his willingness to compromise, particularly on fiscal policy. — Anchorage Daily News, "Mulvaney builds ‘an empire for the right wing’ as Trump’s chief of staff," 15 July 2019 And the city that once became an unwilling symbol of urban decline is looking to the future, as locals lean on one another — and distrust government officials. — Los Angeles Times, "Newsletter: Gilroy mourns," 30 July 2019 Many Hong Kongers distrust the Chinese mainland’s courts and police, which are controlled by the Communist Party, and opposition was widespread. — Austin Ramzy, BostonGlobe.com, "China backs Hong Kong officials, but leaves protests for them to solve," 29 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'distrust.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.