1
as in skeptical
inclined to doubt or question claims
we were mistrustful of the so-called "miracle cure" for obesity
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
inhabitants of that remote community tend to be mistrustful of outsiders
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mistrustful
In the Epistle to the Galatians, Paul strains to show that the Gentile mission and the Jerusalem mission, though carried out by mutually mistrustful parties, belong to a single divine design.
—
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
People are mistrustful of government at all levels right now, according to Larson.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
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
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
People are mistrustful of government at all levels right now, according to Larson.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistrustful
Adjective
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Audiences are skeptical of celebrity.—
Precious Fondren,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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McGarry, while supportive of the county's initial steps, remains skeptical that the ordinance goes far enough to protect the most vulnerable residents.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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Public Health staff said the majority of cases were among people who were unvaccinated or unsure they were vaccinated.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
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Graves said authorities are unsure at this time how Sanchez-Munoz may have been able to get out of the house.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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Reynoso said suspicious bank activity and withdrawals were made to their accounts.—
Charlie De Mar,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
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Be highly suspicious of content that offers simple, absolute solutions to complex medical conditions.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
The agreement, however, remains uncertain.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
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The continued legal wrangling made uncertain what his status could be for Tech's remaining games.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Katz was cautious about the European enthusiasm.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
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Some analysts are even more cautious.—
Faith Wakefield,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
This complicated web of lies, betrayals, and cover-ups leads her to be distrustful.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
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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
Adjective
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China walked a careful diplomatic line during the conflict.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
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All that plus nightly turndown service and 24-hour room service reflect the careful attention paid to guests at Moon Palace The Grand—Cancun.—
Chelsea Adams,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mistrustful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistrustful. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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