mistrustful

adjective

Definition of mistrustfulnext
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

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 mistrustful Our ability to win over local constituencies deeply mistrustful of both our products and our leaders is uncertain. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2026 The Social Democrats, led by Kurt Schumacher, a prickly figure who had suffered horribly for resisting the Nazis, were mistrustful of the United States and hoped to reunify Germany as a neutral state at the center of Europe. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 Once a lawyerly panel, a takeover by a trio of conservatives deeply mistrustful of the state’s voting system has turned the board’s once mundane meetings into boisterous events packed with crowds of cheering and jeering activists. — Tamar Hallerman, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026 The idea is to strategically moderate on certain cultural issues in order to become more palatable to mistrustful constituencies. — Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 19 July 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
  1. skeptical
  2. unsure
  3. suspicious
  4. uncertain
  5. cautious
  6. distrustful
  7. careful
Adjective
  • Progressives like Melat Kiros have signaled their votes for Jeffries might be up for grabs unless their leadership embraces more left-leaning policies, but most Democrats are skeptical about major defections.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Gabriel, however, is more skeptical, arguing that infrastructure carries the incentives of the model that built it, making a brand with less influence likely to struggle to resist a parent company oriented around speed, efficiency, and growth.
    — Jessica Binns, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of skeptical
Adjective
  • The Salt Lake County clerk requests assistance to secure the polls, but the sheriff, unsure about jurisdiction, declines.
    — Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The equipment truck had left spring training in Tempe, Arizona, and was in Salt Lake City, unsure where to go, when Selig called traveling secretary Tommy Ferguson, who had held the same job with the Braves.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsure
Adjective
  • The authentication process combines human expertise and AI integration to flag any suspicious activity and ensure that listings follow commercial industry standards.
    — Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
  • What readers are saying The comments discuss a case involving a person who sent letters containing a suspicious substance, with many commenters criticizing the individual's intelligence for including his return address.
    — Violet Jira, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of suspicious
Adjective
  • Whether those disparate parties can form a government is uncertain and will likely take weeks of haggling.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Treating your partner with respect and appreciation can strengthen your bond and help both of you feel more secure in an uncertain world.
    — Barton Goldsmith, AJC.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of uncertain
Adjective
  • Be cautious about unfamiliar apps with extensive permissions.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • And while Denton appears to be the right person to focus on cost savings and efficiencies, Wall Street remained cautious on the timing of Nike’s turnaround.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • In many instances Rama approaches difficult situations with restraint and adherence to dharma (righteous conduct), whereas Lakshmana is expressive, impulsive, quick to anger, and distrustful.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Jones was often jealous, distrustful, possessive and controlling of his girlfriend, according to the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of distrustful
Adjective
  • Along with potentially leeching microplastics into your food, plastic food storage containers absorb stains, odors, and flavors, and many require careful hand-washing to prevent them from warping.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Gallery visitors were careful not to step on the sprawling assemblage of photographs, drawings and artifacts scattered across the floor.
    — Jane Horowitz, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of careful

Browse Nearby Words

mistrusted
mistrustful
mistrustfully
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Cite this Entry

“Mistrustful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistrustful. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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