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Definition of distrustful

distrustful

/dɪsˈtrʌst.fəl/
dis · trust · ful
Adverb:distrustfully
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distrustful Lexical Profile

distrustful Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Feeling or showing a lack of trust or confidence in someone or something; suspicious or wary.

Example

"Having been misled by exaggerated promises in the past, the residents remained distrustful of the new development proposal."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for distrustful

Word Nuance & Usage

While 'distrustful' and 'mistrustful' are largely interchangeable, 'distrustful' often implies a settled lack of confidence based on past experience or evidence, whereas 'mistrustful' suggests a more instinctive or general uneasiness.

• Rhymes for distrustful

• Nearby Words

district
distrix
distrust
distrustful
distrustfully
distrustfulness
disturb

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the late 16th century from the noun 'distrust' (combining the Latinate prefix 'dis-' and the Old Norse-derived 'traust', meaning confidence or firmness) plus the Old English suffix '-ful'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Distrustful. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/distrustful
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