distrust

[ dis-truhst ]

verb (used with object)

1. to regard with doubt or suspicion; have no trust in.

noun

1. lack of trust; doubt; suspicion.

distrust

/ dɪsˈtrʌst /

verb

1. to regard as untrustworthy or dishonest

noun

1. suspicion; doubt

Derived Forms

• disˈtruster, noun
• disˈtrustfully, adverb
• disˈtrustfulness, noun
• disˈtrustful, adjective

Other Words From

• dis·truster noun
• predis·trust noun verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of distrust¹

First recorded in 1505–15; dis- ¹ + trust

Synonym Study

See suspicion.

Example Sentences

Notably, the rise in executive powers has coincided with a creeping distrust of government in this country.

From Salon

But distrust is fuelled by the fact that neither India nor Mauritius has published the details of the 2015 memorandum of understanding, so their plans for the future are unknown.

From BBC

Vaccine hesitancy is one piece of a growing distrust in public health exacerbated by the government’s pandemic response that many experts fear will only deepen with the new Trump Administration.

From Salon

The fall has also coincided with rising distrust of media and institutions - a feature particularly pronounced among Trump supporters that some argue has led to their under-representation.

From BBC

With distrust running high, even mundane tasks get more complicated.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disbelief
• doubt
• misgiving
• mistrust
• skepticism
• suspicion
• wariness