MISTRUST Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'mistrust' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mistrust are doubt , dubiety , skepticism , suspicion , and uncertainty . While all these words mean "lack of sureness about someone or something," mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion. // had a great mistrust of doctors

Q: When is it sensible to use 'doubt' instead of 'mistrust'?

While the synonyms doubt and mistrust are close in meaning, doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision. // plagued by doubts as to what to do

Q: In what contexts can 'dubiety' take the place of 'mistrust'?

The synonyms dubiety and mistrust are sometimes interchangeable, but dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions. // felt some dubiety about its practicality

Q: When is 'skepticism' a more appropriate choice than 'mistrust'?

The meanings of skepticism and mistrust largely overlap; however, skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence. // an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

Q: Where would 'suspicion' be a reasonable alternative to 'mistrust'?

While in some cases nearly identical to mistrust , suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone. // regarded the stranger with suspicion

Q: When might 'uncertainty' be a better fit than 'mistrust'?

In some situations, the words uncertainty and mistrust are roughly equivalent. However, uncertainty may range from a falling short of certainty to an almost complete lack of conviction or knowledge especially about an outcome or result. // assumed the role of manager without hesitation or uncertainty

Q: How does the noun 'mistrust' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mistrust are doubt , dubiety , skepticism , suspicion , and uncertainty . While all these words mean "lack of sureness about someone or something," mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion. // had a great mistrust of doctors

Q: When is it sensible to use 'doubt' instead of 'mistrust'?

While the synonyms doubt and mistrust are close in meaning, doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision. // plagued by doubts as to what to do

Q: In what contexts can 'dubiety' take the place of 'mistrust'?

The synonyms dubiety and mistrust are sometimes interchangeable, but dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions. // felt some dubiety about its practicality

Q: When is 'skepticism' a more appropriate choice than 'mistrust'?

The meanings of skepticism and mistrust largely overlap; however, skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence. // an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

mistrust 1 of 2

noun

ˌmis-ˈtrəst

Definition of mistrust next

as in doubt

a feeling or attitude that one does not know the truth, truthfulness, or trustworthiness of someone or something had an unfortunate mistrust of doctors, so her medical condition was allowed to worsen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mistrust

2 of 2

verb

as in to doubt

to have no trust or confidence in a recluse who mistrusts her neighbors and stays in her house all day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun mistrust differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mistrust are doubt, dubiety, skepticism, suspicion, and uncertainty. While all these words mean "lack of sureness about someone or something," mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion.

had a great mistrust of doctors

When is it sensible to use doubt instead of mistrust?

While the synonyms doubt and mistrust are close in meaning, doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision.

plagued by doubts as to what to do

In what contexts can dubiety take the place of mistrust?

The synonyms dubiety and mistrust are sometimes interchangeable, but dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions.

felt some dubiety about its practicality

When is skepticism a more appropriate choice than mistrust?

The meanings of skepticism and mistrust largely overlap; however, skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.

an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

Where would suspicion be a reasonable alternative to mistrust?

While in some cases nearly identical to mistrust, suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

regarded the stranger with suspicion

When might uncertainty be a better fit than mistrust?

In some situations, the words uncertainty and mistrust are roughly equivalent. However, uncertainty may range from a falling short of certainty to an almost complete lack of conviction or knowledge especially about an outcome or result.

assumed the role of manager without hesitation or uncertainty

How does the noun mistrust differ from other similar words?

had a great mistrust of doctors

When is it sensible to use doubt instead of mistrust?

While the synonyms doubt and mistrust are close in meaning, doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision.

plagued by doubts as to what to do

In what contexts can dubiety take the place of mistrust?

The synonyms dubiety and mistrust are sometimes interchangeable, but dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions.

felt some dubiety about its practicality

When is skepticism a more appropriate choice than mistrust?

The meanings of skepticism and mistrust largely overlap; however, skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.

an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

Where would suspicion be a reasonable alternative to mistrust?

While in some cases nearly identical to mistrust, suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

regarded the stranger with suspicion

When might uncertainty be a better fit than mistrust?

assumed the role of manager without hesitation or uncertainty

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 mistrust

Noun

Disappointment and mistrust of these authorities led to the emergence of armed militants who kidnapped oil workers and sabotaged installations as a means of gaining access to oil resources. —

Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026 But while Sri Lanka has a long history of religious and ethnic pluralism, it has also been fractured by mistrust, grievance and violence. —

Eranda Jayawickreme, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026

Verb

Israel has long mistrusted UNIFIL, accusing it of failing to prevent Hezbollah from building up its military presence along the border in violation of ceasefire agreements going back two decades. —

Abby Sewell, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026 Dialogue tended to be sparse in those movies, too, because people mistrusted language then, and Reichardt also likes her speeches laconic. —

Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mistrust

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistrust

Noun

Indictments have a lower burden of proof and require only probable cause, while a trial would require prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that each defendant is culpable.

— Jason Henry, Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
That anticipation for Season 3, premiering Sunday, still lingers for Fletcher, though it’s tempered now by doubt and distance, thanks to a four-year gap between seasons.

— Precious Fondren, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026