distrust 1 of 2

noun

(ˌ)dis-ˈtrəst How to pronounce distrust (audio)
Definition of distrustnext
as in doubt
a feeling or attitude that one does not know the truth, truthfulness, or trustworthiness of someone or something the psychic's bold claims were greeted with distrust and outright scorn

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

distrust

2 of 2

verb

as in to doubt
to have no trust or confidence in we instinctively distrust those phone calls that tell us we have won a free vacation or car

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of distrust
Noun
With that, the earnest impulses of freedom-loving Americans’ distrust of institutions could easily be exploited by weapons of mass deception. — Will Cady, SPIN, 30 July 2026 The dangers are mounting outside and distrust simmers within. — Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Verb
The lesson is not that leaders should distrust their own importance. — Michael Sonnenfeldt, Fortune, 19 July 2026 The men who wrote the Constitution distrusted parties, but also created and worked within them. — Andy Craig, Washington Post, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for distrust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distrust
  1. doubt
  2. skepticism
  3. suspicion
  4. uncertainty
  5. mistrust
Noun
  • Therefore, Tunick remains presumed innocent unless prosecutors prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Since the State could not disprove the justification defense beyond a reasonable doubt, the evidence resulted in the decision that no criminal charges would be filed against the fast-food employees.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of doubt
Noun
  • When employees are unsure whether a communication is genuinely human or synthetically generated, skepticism naturally rises.
    — Kent Ingle, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The barrier islands have a history of powerful currents and drowning deaths — but the Wells’ family lawyer, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, voiced skepticism on the notion that the teenager may have drowned.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of skepticism
Noun
  • The case made global headlines as suspicion quickly fell on Knox and her boyfriend of just days, Raffaele Sollecito.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • With their suspicions in mind, Kimberly and her family focused their searches for Ashley on the northwestern edge of the reservation, near Sam McDonald’s house.
    — Dateline NBC, NBC news, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of suspicion
Noun
  • Early footage shows the group navigating uncertainty before eventually rediscovering its chemistry with Armstrong and Brittain, a process that transformed grief into a new creative chapter.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The service later moved through a confusing sequence of identities — HBO Max, Max and ultimately HBO Max again — reflecting a strategic uncertainty that its competitors were happy to exploit.
    — Paul Hardart, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of uncertainty
Noun
  • Health officials say the mistrust has also made contact tracing and early treatment more difficult, particularly in remote communities affected by rebel violence.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Aid agencies say mistrust, misinformation about Ebola, and resistance to restrictions on traditional burial practices have fueled hostility toward health workers and complicated efforts to contain the outbreak.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of mistrust

Browse Nearby Words

districts
distrust
distrusted
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Cite this Entry

“Distrust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distrust. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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