distrustful

[ dis-truhst-fuhl ]

adjective

1. unable or unwilling to trust; doubtful; suspicious:

   An alert scientist is distrustful of coincidences.

Other Words From

• dis·trustful·ly adverb
• dis·trustful·ness noun
• predis·trustful adjective
• undis·trustful adjective
• undis·trustful·ly adverb
• undis·trustful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of distrustful¹

First recorded in 1585–95; distrust + -ful

Example Sentences

That’s when her portentous warpaint emerges, a crisp black border drawn from tear duct to wing crowning a frigid, distrustful gaze.

From Salon

Even with someone taking a genuine interest in her, Ani is too scarred by her romance with Ivan and too distrustful of her own judgment.

From Salon

In this Amazon Prime Video version, Sheen's Prince Andrew is a more complex figure, self-seeking, emotionally deaf, ambitious, loyal to his own immediate family, distrustful of palace officials and with a desperate need for approval.

From BBC

Ask yourself what evidence you have to be distrustful.

From Los Angeles Times

Saying immigrants are coming to the U.S. with the intention to influence politics also makes people distrustful of the entire political structure, she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cautious
• doubtful
• dubious
• fearful
• jealous
• leery
• mistrustful
• skeptical
• suspicious
• uneasy
• wary