distrustful

adjective

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

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.
Several students said their affiliation drew hate speech from strangers and distrustful questions from family members and employers. Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025 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 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

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Cite this Entry

“Distrustful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distrustful. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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