1
as in skeptical
inclined to doubt or question claims
we were mistrustful of the so-called "miracle cure" for obesity
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
inhabitants of that remote community tend to be mistrustful of outsiders
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mistrustful
In the Epistle to the Galatians, Paul strains to show that the Gentile mission and the Jerusalem mission, though carried out by mutually mistrustful parties, belong to a single divine design.
—
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
People are mistrustful of government at all levels right now, according to Larson.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
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
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
People are mistrustful of government at all levels right now, according to Larson.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistrustful
Adjective
-
However, some analysts remain skeptical.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
But that was rejected by voters, and even though 61% of voters signaled support for the millionaire tax in 2024 in a nonbinding referendum, some lawmakers were still skeptical a binding amendment would get voters' blessing.—
Ben Szalinski,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Mamdani's approval rating A Marist Poll published Wednesday revealed 48% of NYC residents think Mayor Mamdani is doing a good job so far, 30% disapprove of his performance, while 23% are unsure how to rate him.—
Christina Fan,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
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In Mexico the loss of territory discredited the country’s conservative government and left many of its citizens unsure of their country’s future as an independent state.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Finding the behavior suspicious, police said the officers activated their overhead lights and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2026
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Never click on suspicious links Some scams prompt you to click on a link that takes you to a fake website to gather your personal information or unintentionally download malware onto your computer.—
Jasmin Suknanan,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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While the future remains uncertain for Lawrence and Rogers, the pair know that Rogers cannot live at her dad's house with her brother forever.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
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Those issues include housing shortages, rampant homelessness, the nation’s highest levels of unemployment and poverty, uncertain water supplies, soaring utility costs, shamefully low academic achievement in public schools and a state budget in chronic deficit.—
Dan Walters,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But that cautious optimism among exiles is tempered by concern they could be cut out.—
Joshua Goodman,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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The key takeaway is that consumers are cautious, and the execution of early applications of AI in fashion is what’s holding them back right now.—
Amy O’Brien,
Vogue,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But even in 2000 when Hope VI grants allowed for Laurel Homes to be replaced, residents were distrustful, in part, because only 1,100 units were going up.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
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Border czar Tom Homan says more than a thousand federal agents have already left Minnesota, though many community members remain distrustful and fearful.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This requires careful monitoring of key parameters such as sugar and acidity from veraison through to harvest.—
Maureen Mackey , Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
11 Apr. 2026
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Somewhere within him is the spirit of the patriotic teenager and the careful lower-court judge who rejected any notion of party loyalty or judicial agenda.—
Peter S. Canellos,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mistrustful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistrustful. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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