DISTRUSTFUL Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

distrustful

adjective

(ˌ)dis-ˈtrəs(t)-fəl

Definition of distrustful

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

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

Adjective

Why alums are skeptical Queens name will stay In recent months, however, Carmack said the merger has felt more like an acquisition.

— Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
Conservative politicians and others skeptical of the nation’s covid response have had Munster and Rocky Mountain Labs on their radar for years.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of skeptical

Adjective

Funding fights, shifting eligibility rules and abrupt program cuts have played out simultaneously at the federal level, leaving many organizations unsure what the ground will look like from one quarter to the next.

— Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
At a time when many of their peers are unsure of what's next, the students are happy their skills are in demand.

— Andrea Hsu, NPR, 21 July 2026

Definition of unsure

Adjective

But both shows are deeply suspicious of corporate infiltration of the government and how capitalists exploit xenophobia to gain power in America.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 July 2026
The challenge is that large organizations are typically suspicious of people with an explorer's style of passion.

— John Hagel, Time, 22 July 2026

Definition of suspicious

Adjective

From premium pet food to medical care Whether GLP-1 drugs eventually become commonplace in veterinary medicine remains uncertain.

— Elsa Ohlen,Carolin Roth, CNBC, 18 July 2026
The young Brits' last year in secondary school finds Charlie starting a pride club, Nick worrying about an uncertain future, and both considering the impact of long-distance love.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 July 2026

Definition of uncertain

Adjective

At a time when global fashion is navigating economic uncertainty, shifting supply chains and cautious consumer spending, one country is making an unmistakably confident statement.

— Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Those with underlying health conditions like asthma, COPD, heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease or who are pregnant need to be extra cautious about breathing in wildfire smoke.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026

Definition of cautious

Adjective

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
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

Definition of mistrustful

Adjective

But the series is careful to cast suspicions in a multitude of directions, not merely at Michael but at several people in Sarah’s orbit who only reveal themselves when backed into corners.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 23 July 2026
Since pilot and crew remains may also still be buried underground, careful excavation work is even more important.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 July 2026

Definition of careful

Browse Nearby Words

distrusted

distrustful

distrustfully

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Distrustful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distrustful. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of distrustful

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on distrustful

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

itinerant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes