1
as in skeptical
inclined to doubt or question claims
she was distrustful of her boyfriend's claim of having saved the kitten from a raging fire
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unsure
not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something
naturally distrustful of politicians who claim to have all the answers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distrustful
Markel became increasingly distrustful of Donna Adelson due to her desire to move the children away from him, even filing a motion to prevent her from having unsupervised visits with the children in 2014.
—
Mason Leath, ABC News, 2 Jan. 2026
The characters were distrustful of each other (because anybody could be the killer), and one of Warren’s favorite memories is the scene with her and Mull tussling to get out of a tight bar space at the same time.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
In its wake, Diana was stripped of many royal privileges and grew distrustful of those closest to her, including her private secretary, Patrick Jephson.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 29 Nov. 2025
People are emotionally dysregulated, distrustful, and disconnected.
—Fortune Editors, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distrustful
Mason Leath, ABC News, 2 Jan. 2026
The characters were distrustful of each other (because anybody could be the killer), and one of Warren’s favorite memories is the scene with her and Mull tussling to get out of a tight bar space at the same time.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
In its wake, Diana was stripped of many royal privileges and grew distrustful of those closest to her, including her private secretary, Patrick Jephson.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 29 Nov. 2025
People are emotionally dysregulated, distrustful, and disconnected.
—Fortune Editors, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distrustful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distrustful
Adjective
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Asselin is skeptical of the state's job claims, since automation and technology changes come fast.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Oil prices climbed as investors grew skeptical of efforts to end the war.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Over time, though, the clarity of that governing brand faded as Democrats tried to address too many priorities at once, leaving voters unsure what the party stood for.—
Richard Yanowitch,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The rest were unsure or had no opinion.—
Sean Conlon,Sarah Min,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Banks are required by law to report suspicious activity in customer accounts to federal authorities in order to flag potential criminal activity, such as money laundering or fraud.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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The idea was that a couple with a kid in tow wouldn’t look too suspicious taking a walk near a police station or an Army base.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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For now, hundreds of families remain in limbo, facing a looming deadline and an uncertain future.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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And much remains uncertain about how AI will reshape entry-level job opportunities.—
Jerry Balentine,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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With multiple players coming back from injury — as well as a questionable turf field — the Current opted to take a cautious approach.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
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Lee says Everpure’s initial approach to generative AI was fairly cautious after the launch of ChatGPT, as the company wanted to take time to set up governance protocols around data privacy and security.—
John Kell,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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People are mistrustful of government at all levels right now, according to Larson.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
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Initially mistrustful of each other, the two men bond over Molina's stories about movie star Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez) and her starring role in the eponymous film-within-a-film.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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An assembly of planets in Aries moves through your twelfth house, stirring emotions behind the scenes and asking for careful tending.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
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To the begonia collectors out there, Begona Black Velvet, with large leaves that could have fallen from a maple tree, is worth a careful look.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distrustful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distrustful. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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