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
Relevance
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
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
People are distrustful of public health.
—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for distrustful
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
People are distrustful of public health.
—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for distrustful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distrustful
Adjective
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When Axsome went public in 2015, Wall Street was skeptical and the company’s stock puttered along under $10 for years.
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Contrary to what the public has been led to believe, America’s Founding Fathers were skeptical and anxious about democracy.
Adjective
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Standards are high at the Etihad Stadium after 10 years of Guardiola and Manchester City is counting on Maresca being the right man to keep this going even if many of the club’s own supporters are unsure.
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People are unsure about the industry for good reason, with everything happening with AI and in the world.
Adjective
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Large-scale events involve tabletop exercises with law enforcement, fire departments, emergency managers and venue officials running through countless scenarios — evacuations, suspicious packages, drones and crowd surges.
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Residents who witness suspicious activity can contact non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 or call 911 when appropriate.
Adjective
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For now, advocates say preparation and persistence are critical as the community faces an uncertain future.
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The bold story choice, which reunites the staff for what may be their final kitchen service as the restaurant faces an uncertain future, was met with enthusiasm from the cast.
Adjective
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Berkeley adopted a more cautious approach.
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The data also points to a more cautious approach to automation than much of the AI industry’s messaging might suggest.
Adjective
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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.
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People are mistrustful of government at all levels right now, according to Larson.
Adjective
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Determination and careful calculations — hold on, carry the 2 — are a must.
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Graduate students face lower federal limits and the loss of Grad PLUS, requiring careful financial planning.
Cite this Entry
“Distrustful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distrustful. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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