Synonyms of distrustful

distrustful

adjective

(ˌ)dis-ˈtrəs(t)-fəl 

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

• skeptical
• suspicious
• cautious
• mistrustful
• careful
• incredulous
• wary
• questioning
• doubting
• disbelieving
• unbelieving
• paranoid
• show-me
• cynical
• negativistic
• suspecting
• curious
• leery
• watchful
• quizzical
• guarded
• experienced
• puzzled
• unsure
• inquisitive
• critical
• hesitant
• uncertain
• unconvinced
• worldly
• gun-shy
• sophisticated
• nosy
• undecided
• worldly-wise
• knowing
• undetermined
• inquiring
• unsettled
• snoopy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• trusting
• credulous
• trustful
• uncritical
• gullible
• naive
• unquestioning
• unsophisticated
• confident
• green
• innocent
• ingenuous
• positive
• certain
• unworldly
• unknowing
• simple
• wide-eyed
• simpleminded
• sure
• inexperienced
• idealistic
• childlike
• raw
• impractical
• callow
• careless
• deceived
• unsuspecting
• unsuspicious
• heedless
• unwary
• duped
• beguiled
• tricked
• gulled

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

• skeptical
• unsure
• suspicious
• uncertain
• doubtful
• mistrustful
• unsettled
• unconvinced
• dubious
• undecided
• on the fence
• hesitant
• ambivalent
• conflicted
• trustless
• hinky
• insecure
• equivocal
• diffident
• irresolute
• indecisive
• wavering
• vacillating
• halting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• positive
• certain
• convinced
• sure
• confident
• sanguine
• assured
• self-assured
• resolute
• decisive
• determined

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of distrustful

The monthslong investigation into Guthrie's abduction that has provided little answers and the arrests of the YouTubers have left the streamers and their followers distrustful of law enforcement and the press. — Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2026

Rob-Will has the support of his adoring wildchild daughter, Oreana (Natalie Alyn Lind), but not of openly distrustful Rip, who gave the gun-toting Rob-Will that punch felt around the Dutton universe in their gas station first meeting. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 19 June 2026

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