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
Though many of these claims were eventually debunked, the damage is already done—people are left confused, angry, and distrustful of those tasked with recovery.
—
Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
After Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the American public has become even more distrustful of the Russian autocrat.
—Michael McFaul, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2025
But now, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing number of Americans are distrustful when authorities go against something seemingly intuitive — like the idea that ingesting low levels of herbicides and heavy metals over your lifetime will be bad for your health.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 1 Apr. 2025
Reshaping the space agency Long considered one of the best places to work in the federal government, NASA is already in the midst of changes that have angered some high-ranking staff and left them feeling distrustful of current leadership.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distrustful
Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
After Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the American public has become even more distrustful of the Russian autocrat.
—Michael McFaul, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2025
But now, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing number of Americans are distrustful when authorities go against something seemingly intuitive — like the idea that ingesting low levels of herbicides and heavy metals over your lifetime will be bad for your health.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 1 Apr. 2025
Reshaping the space agency Long considered one of the best places to work in the federal government, NASA is already in the midst of changes that have angered some high-ranking staff and left them feeling distrustful of current leadership.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distrustful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distrustful
Adjective
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When Adam Neumann launched Flow, his residential real-estate venture, a little over three years ago, a lot of people were skeptical.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
16 May 2025
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Still, the man who brought the game to life is skeptical.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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According to Priestley, many young people reach adulthood unsure about how money functions, how relationships grow and how systems interact.—
Dan Fitzpatrick,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
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Officials are unsure of where exactly Cosmos 482 will land.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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Aurora police received reports at about 3 p.m. Monday of a suspicious person trespassing at The Parking Spot in the 19900 block of East 56th Avenue, trying to break into vehicles and refusing to leave, according to a news release from the police department.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
13 May 2025
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Joshua later discovered that the police received a tip about a suspicious vehicle earlier that day.—
Audrey Conklin,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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In the early, uncertain days of COVID-19, when people were told to stay home to save lives, Lightfoot chose compassion over citations.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
20 May 2025
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This phenomenon has been further propelled by ongoing inflation, high interest rates, and an uncertain economic outlook.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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This can lead to overly cautious investment choices and missed opportunities for growth.—
Bruce Helmer,
Twin Cities,
10 May 2025
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Please be cautious in entering personal information as seedlings for your romance stories.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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The review process is careful for a reason – and perhaps the only real method of speeding it up is the one Zeldin has proposed: reassigning staff so there are more people to share the work.—
Jeffrey Gore,
The Conversation,
14 May 2025
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From examining markets and assessing team capacity to reviewing current offerings, the decision to expand to a second storefront is one that requires careful consideration before any concrete plans are put in motion.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distrustful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distrustful. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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