mistrust 1 of 2

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

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
Counter-accusations by other states deepen mistrust, leaving cooperative security arrangements elusive. Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 26 Sep. 2025 If the unspoken goal of the administration is to centralize power around itself and create a perception of instability surrounding the status quo, then fomenting mistrust in data is an effective approach. Sheldon Jacobson, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
Historian Terry Bouton has argued compellingly that most of the framers, landholding elites, deeply mistrusted the mass of American countrymen, and saw democracy as a wild, unruly stallion that needed to be tamed. Matthew Redmond august 13, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025 Trying to unravel that on-camera led to real breakthroughs, but the camera also captured how quickly Reubens could be triggered to mistrust the documentary process without being the one directing it. Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 8 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mistrust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistrust
Noun
  • The Star card is asking you to let go of doubts and instead focus on what aligns most with your goals.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
  • With dark brown fur and adorable, squeezable paws, there's no doubt your little one will adore this stuffy.
    De Elizabeth, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Among customers and in financial markets, skepticism is rising as some question whether the massive investment in AI will ever be justified by revenues.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Advertisement But Blair’s potential role in Gaza has also drawn deep concern among critics, and raised skepticism over how well the proposal will go over with Hamas.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • While Hern was not accused of causing his wife's death, court records show that authorities had suspicions to the contrary.
    Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
  • More than any other change, this one act cemented Twitter’s new identity as a right-wing media platform that acted as an extension of Musk’s own political beliefs, paranoid suspicions, midnight musings and personal interests.
    Jacob Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • About one in six parents reported delaying or skipping vaccines (excluding seasonal flu and COVID-19), often citing safety concerns or distrust.
    Suhail Bhat, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Investigative reports have chronicled how the hashtag #YestoMeat was used to spread distrust in the commission’s 2019 findings.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That uncertainty comes at a time when many Americans’ budgets may already be stressed from years of elevated inflation, a slowing economy and possibly more tariffs.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The longer the shutdown lasts, the more indicators may be delayed, and the more uncertainty takes over.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Mistrust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistrust. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on mistrust

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