mistrustful

[ mis-truhst-fuhl ]

adjective

1. full of mistrust; suspicious.

Other Words From

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of mistrustful¹

First recorded in 1520–30; mistrust + -ful

Example Sentences

Observers say that continued outreach has allowed the department to make significant strides in some communities that were long mistrustful of law enforcement.

From Los Angeles Times

Gascón, she said, has made inroads with communities mistrustful of the county’s prosecutors, but warned his courtroom shortcomings could overshadow those gains.

From Los Angeles Times

The incident left her deeply protective of her art, and mistrustful of sharing it with others.

From New York Times

When he sought to set up his company’s flagship inn in the predominantly Arab northern Israeli town of Nazareth in 2005, the structure’s Palestinian owners were at first deeply mistrustful.

From Los Angeles Times

The announcement raised concerns in Washington from lawmakers who are mistrustful of the kingdom and critical of its human rights record.

From Reuters

Related Words

• leery
• skeptical
• suspicious
• wary