distrustful

adjective

dis·​trust·​ful (ˌ)dis-ˈtrəs(t)-fəl How to pronounce distrustful (audio)
Synonyms of distrustfulnext
: having or showing distrust
distrustfully
(ˌ)dis-ˈtrəs(t)-fə-lē How to pronounce distrustful (audio)
adverb
distrustfulness noun

Synonyms of distrustful

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Examples of distrustful in a Sentence

she was distrustful of her boyfriend's claim of having saved the kitten from a raging fire naturally distrustful of politicians who claim to have all the answers
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Such military cooperation has alarmed Israel, which is increasingly distrustful of Turkey’s intentions in the region. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 When the community is hostile toward or distrustful of a particular minority group, police may feel that discriminatory behavior toward that group is justified. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 This move was unfavored by local violence prevention activists who said that the relationship with law enforcement could undermine their efforts to reach at-risk teens who are distrustful of police. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026 The 72-year-old’s popularity boomed during the pandemic, when his insistence that COVID vaccines were dangerous and his opposition to lockdown restrictions attracted many Americans distrustful of government policy. — CNN Money, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for distrustful

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of distrustful was in 1589

Rhymes for distrustful

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Browse Nearby Words

distrust
distrustful
distrustingly
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Cite this Entry

“Distrustful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distrustful. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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