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
Collaboration should be obvious, but in my own recent experience there seems to be a growing amount of mistrust in the entrepreneur game of late. Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2025 The conflict stemmed from her decision to put the home in her name only, which her spouse viewed as a sign of mistrust. Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
Across the board, both consumers and producers of media, government and even education have found cause to mistrust the organizations backing their industries. Matt Lowe, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 When government data falters, or is mistrusted, private sector and international organizations’ indices become invaluable: ADP private payroll data: While not always fully aligned with BLS figures, private payroll processors like ADP provide independent snapshots of employment trends. Dave Smith, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mistrust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistrust
Noun
  • Yangwang doesn’t want to leave any doubts about the U9’s capabilities.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Many journalists, authors, and investigators have voiced doubts about these convictions, believing that the real Monster of Florence was never caught.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The Legislature did not reject the rewrite, so the standards now include roughly 40 points about the Bible, Jesus and Christianity that students should learn as well as skepticism about the 2020 presidential election results and the origins of COVID-19.
    Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Republicans hold a 53-47 majority, and these nominees need majority support to be confirmed, so skepticism from just a handful of Republicans could sink a nomination.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The father charged in suspicion of murder in his toddler's 2024 hot car death has taken a plea deal with Pima County prosecutors that includes a higher sentencing than in a previous plea offer.
    Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The suspicions arose due to high betting activity on the under for prop bets related to Rozier’s points, rebounds, and assists.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This aligns with research showing that rural social identity predicts skepticism of external experts, illustrating a rural orientation toward prudent distrust.
    Scott R. Schell, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • And yet, social and cultural efforts could not overcome the political divides that violence and distrust had dug into the French social fabric.
    Time, Time, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The uncertainty has caused fear for the nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites who rely on FoodShare benefits.
    JR Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Upheaval at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has plunged Kentucky's public health infrastructure into a state of confusion and uncertainty, officials said, and some local departments are beginning to question the credibility of the agency's guidance.
    Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Oct. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Mistrust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistrust. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on mistrust

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