distrustful

adjective

(ˌ)dis-ˈtrəs(t)-fəl How to pronounce distrustful (audio)
Definition of distrustfulnext
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

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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

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 distrustful This complicated web of lies, betrayals, and cover-ups leads her to be distrustful. — Literary Hub, 16 June 2026 In such a distrustful environment, everything that should be pure or holy or human is crushed under the weight of a state only interested in its own self-perpetuation. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026 Current employes may also become distrustful and less loyal as a result. — Michelle Travis, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 Manufacturers are pushing ahead with AI, but workers often feel unprepared, uncertain, and distrustful. — Rushda Afzal, Harvard Business Review, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for distrustful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distrustful
  1. skeptical
  2. unsure
  3. suspicious
  4. uncertain
  5. cautious
  6. mistrustful
  7. careful
Adjective
  • And others are less confident that a deal is imminent and are skeptical about its longevity.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026
  • However, markets remain skeptical about whether a deal can be reached.
    — , CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of skeptical
Adjective
  • So the audience is all the time in and out, unsure what is performance.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Lawrence’s gravity makes rushing from the outside all the more devastating, doubly so if linemen are unsure who is coming or dropping.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsure
Adjective
  • Federal agents in plainclothes flagged Taele on Saturday after deeming his activities at the golf course suspicious, the department said in a statement.
    — Hannah Knowles, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Disconnect the device from the internet, run a full antivirus or anti-malware scan and delete any suspicious downloads.
    — Joshua Sidorowicz, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of suspicious
Adjective
  • All available polling data indicates that the public mood in Russia is growing more uncertain and anxious.
    — Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026
  • But advocates like Amy Behnke, who leads the Health Center Association of Nebraska, said the state's notices were confusing and left many low-income people uncertain if the new rules apply to them.
    — Julie Wernau, NPR, 31 July 2026
Definition of uncertain
Adjective
  • Partners and distributors are being more cautious because Anta prefers a direct-to-consumer model, Hoeld said.
    — Cathrin Schaer, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
  • While inflation remains volatile across countries, influencing cautious planning, salary increases are relatively high compared to pre-pandemic norms.
    — John M. Bremen, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • Once a lawyerly panel, a takeover by a trio of conservatives deeply mistrustful of the state’s voting system has turned the board’s once mundane meetings into boisterous events packed with crowds of cheering and jeering activists.
    — Tamar Hallerman, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The idea is to strategically moderate on certain cultural issues in order to become more palatable to mistrustful constituencies.
    — Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026
Definition of mistrustful
Adjective
  • South Korea’s finance minister has apologized for launching the riskier products without careful consideration.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Regulators have been careful to note that the action targets concentrated and synthetic products, not natural leaf containing trace amounts.
    — Jesse M. Pines, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of careful

Browse Nearby Words

distrusted
distrustful
distrustfully
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Cite this Entry

“Distrustful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distrustful. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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