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
Markel became increasingly distrustful of Donna Adelson due to her desire to move the children away from him, even filing a motion to prevent her from having unsupervised visits with the children in 2014.
—
Mason Leath, ABC News, 2 Jan. 2026
The characters were distrustful of each other (because anybody could be the killer), and one of Warren’s favorite memories is the scene with her and Mull tussling to get out of a tight bar space at the same time.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
In its wake, Diana was stripped of many royal privileges and grew distrustful of those closest to her, including her private secretary, Patrick Jephson.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 29 Nov. 2025
People are emotionally dysregulated, distrustful, and disconnected.
—Fortune Editors, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distrustful
Mason Leath, ABC News, 2 Jan. 2026
The characters were distrustful of each other (because anybody could be the killer), and one of Warren’s favorite memories is the scene with her and Mull tussling to get out of a tight bar space at the same time.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
In its wake, Diana was stripped of many royal privileges and grew distrustful of those closest to her, including her private secretary, Patrick Jephson.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 29 Nov. 2025
People are emotionally dysregulated, distrustful, and disconnected.
—Fortune Editors, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distrustful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distrustful
Adjective
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But some Cuban-American senators seemed a bit more skeptical in their comments on the diplomatic talks between the United States and Cuba.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
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American militia sought revenge for these raids, skeptical of Christian Indians’ claims of neutrality as the war ground on.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
While there have been repatriation flights organized for South Africans, the couple did not pursue that avenue, being unsure of whether the government could — or would — assist in evacuating two citizens who live outside outside the country.—
Blane Bachelor,
CNN Money,
14 Mar. 2026
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Staff were unsure what food items on the steam table line were on time control.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Massachusetts State Police ask that anyone who sees anything suspicious call 911.—
Juli McDonald,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
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Noboa characterized the action as suspicious because diplomatic documents have international protections.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Outline your plans carefully, because regular progress should feel better than chasing an uncertain finish line.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
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Iran’s uncertain future is also central to the equation shifting in favor of IMEC.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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By contrast Zoox, acquired by Amazon in 2020, has been more cautious and careful to deploy a service on public streets.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
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Venezuelan players and coaches are incredibly cautious commenting publicly on politics of the country – to do so could draw additional attention to themselves.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
People are mistrustful of government at all levels right now, according to Larson.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
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Initially mistrustful of each other, the two men bond over Molina's stories about movie star Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez) and her starring role in the eponymous film-within-a-film.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
15 Mar. 2026
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Adjust a subscription or renegotiate a small fee, then record the change, because tracking progress reinforces confidence and protects your careful planning.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distrustful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distrustful. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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