1
as in skeptical
inclined to doubt or question claims
she was distrustful of her boyfriend's claim of having saved the kitten from a raging fire
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
naturally distrustful of politicians who claim to have all the answers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distrustful
This isn't exactly the Cultural Revolution, where Mao Zedong—distrustful of intellectuals and scientists—forced the country's best minds into menial labor.
—
Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
In the absence of transparency, distrustful users may interpret these routine account transfers as political favoritism.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Conservatives in the country are distrustful of China and see Lee as too friendly with the powerful neighbor.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 3 June 2025
During Trump’s first term, his negotiator, Stephen Biegun, struggled to get face time with his North Korean counterparts, who were deeply distrustful of Trump’s advisers.
—John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for distrustful
Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
In the absence of transparency, distrustful users may interpret these routine account transfers as political favoritism.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Conservatives in the country are distrustful of China and see Lee as too friendly with the powerful neighbor.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 3 June 2025
During Trump’s first term, his negotiator, Stephen Biegun, struggled to get face time with his North Korean counterparts, who were deeply distrustful of Trump’s advisers.
—John Delury, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for distrustful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distrustful
Adjective
-
Coastal elites are always skeptical about whether a fast-growth, deep tech company can be built in the Midwest.—
Kathleen Gallagher,
jsonline.com,
15 July 2025
-
In their interviews with town businessmen, the Sodality women try to convince the men that more hygienic practices will actually improve their bottom line, but the men are skeptical: why do anything new?—
Deborah Williams
July 14,
Literary Hub,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Local media outlets earlier in the day said that Ishiba was unsure of his future and would take a call on whether to continue as prime minister in August.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
23 July 2025
-
If the Dodgers are unable to make a deal with Cleveland, there are other options on the market, but many teams are unsure of their path leading up to the trade deadline.—
Hunter Mulholland,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Turquoise Alerts are for missing endangered persons under 65 in suspicious circumstances, while Silver Alerts are for those 65+ or with cognitive disabilities.—
Wren Smetana,
AZCentral.com,
25 July 2025
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Cops said an investigation began when a woman who had recently paid for a Chuck E. Cheese birthday party noticed about $100 worth of suspicious charges on her credit card, the Democrat reported.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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Still, for Connecticut’s two Job Corps centers, the future is uncertain.—
Janhavi Munde,
Hartford Courant,
18 July 2025
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Whether the court grants access to the grand jury documents remains uncertain, but for now, Trump appears determined to reclaim control of the narrative.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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Be cautious using public Wi-Fi Avoid logging into accounts on public Wi-Fi or always use a VPN.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
20 July 2025
-
No, things aren’t all roses, but at least some cautious optimism is in order.—
Bruce Yandle,
Boston Herald,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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However, realizing these benefits demands careful tool selection, integration, oversight and governance.—
John Arsneault,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
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Both pranking and writing are exercises in careful observation.—
Katie Yee
July 25,
Literary Hub,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distrustful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distrustful. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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