distrust
distrust Lexical Profile
distrust Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The feeling that someone or something cannot be relied upon; a lack of trust or confidence.
"Years of broken promises had created a deep sense of distrust between the two departments."
• verb
To doubt the honesty, reliability, or sincerity of someone or something; to regard with suspicion.
"Consumers tend to distrust companies that hide extra fees in the fine print."
Word Nuance & Usage
While 'distrust' and 'mistrust' are often used interchangeably, 'distrust' typically implies a firmer conviction based on experience or evidence that someone is unreliable, whereas 'mistrust' suggests a more general uneasiness or intuitive doubt.
• Rhymes for distrust
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the early 16th century by combining the Latinate privative prefix 'dis-' with the Middle English noun and verb 'trust' (of Old Norse origin, related to 'traust', meaning confidence or firmness).