distrust 1 of 2

Definition of distrustnext

distrust

2 of 2

verb

as in to doubt
to have no trust or confidence in we instinctively distrust those phone calls that tell us we have won a free vacation or car

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of distrust
Noun
These differences contributed to the distrust and disdain the Ottomans held toward the Alawite community, highlighting broader sectarian tensions between Sunni and Shi’a groups within the Ottoman Empire. Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026 Meanwhile, virtual modeling and, albeit to a lesser extent, humanoid robotics are slowly breaking through the uncanny valley — our instinctive distrust of things that look and act almost like human beings but not quite. Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
This is the kind of journalism that makes people distrust anything the news media tell us, and potentially wrongly inflames the public. Arkansas Online, 28 Jan. 2026 The police — and the broader judicial apparatus — is flawed and deeply distrusted. Obi Anyadike, semafor.com, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for distrust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distrust
Noun
  • Because there is little doubt that Canadiens management sees what their coach sees, and what anyone watching their team sees.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • There are also significant doubts there are enough Navy ships to escort commercial vessels, given that 60 or more tankers typically traverse the strait each day.
    Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Student skepticism is being driven in part by faculty salaries within the academic affairs budget decreasing and the unknowns of new football stadium costs and financing.
    Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Rosa, another woman from Matanzas who arrived in Homestead two and a half years ago and asked to be identified only by her first name due to concerns for her family in Cuba, expressed skepticism about the prospects for meaningful change in Cuba.
    Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Non-Muslims crossed a threshold and found warmth instead of suspicion.
    Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 8 Mar. 2026
  • When he was recently arrested for suspicion of misconduct in public office, King Charles released a statement saying the investigation must take its course.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • To be sure, prices could reverse again in the coming days given all the uncertainties about the war.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Mar. 2026
  • For fashion, the Fall/Winter 2026 season arrived at a moment of heightened uncertainty, as wholesale continues its rocky reset and geopolitical uncertainty remains high.
    Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The lack of evangelical Christians at America’s most prestigious institutions fuels mistrust.
    Aaron M. Renn, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Mizrahi says that appearance, combined with growing public mistrust in government and medicine, convinced some patients to spurn his advice and forgo traditional cancer treatment, putting their faith instead in ivermectin.
    Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 2 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Distrust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distrust. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

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