mistrust
mistrust Lexical Profile
mistrust Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A lack of trust, confidence, or certainty regarding the honesty, reliability, or motives of a person or thing; suspicion.
"Years of broken promises had created a deep sense of mistrust between the management and the employees."
• verb
To regard a person, statement, or situation with suspicion, doubt, or a lack of confidence.
"Consumers tend to mistrust companies that hide important fees in the fine print of their contracts."
Word Nuance & Usage
While 'mistrust' and 'distrust' are largely interchangeable, 'mistrust' often suggests a general uneasiness or intuitive hesitation based on instinct, whereas 'distrust' implies a stronger, more deliberate conviction based on past experience or evidence.
• Rhymes for mistrust
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Recorded in Middle English in the late 14th century, formed from the Old English prefix 'mis-' (badly, wrongly) and 'trust', reinforced by Middle Low German 'mistrōst'.