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 list includes dealing with powerful union resistance to major disciplinary reforms; scrutiny from oversight officials after a rash of confidence-shaking scandals; and calls to improve relations with communities left mistrustful after decades of adversarial policing.

From Los Angeles Times

Mistrustful of the pharmaceutical industry and convinced of the superiority of “natural” treatments, consumers spend billions a year on “herbal” and dietary supplements they perceive to be safer and more effective than other treatments.

From Slate

Mistrustful of the pharmaceutical industry and convinced of the superiority of “natural” treatments, consumers spend billions a year on “herbal” and dietary supplements they perceive to be safer and more effective than other treatments.

From Slate

Related Words

• leery
• skeptical
• suspicious
• wary