distrustful

adjective

dis·​trust·​ful (ˌ)dis-ˈtrəs(t)-fəl How to pronounce distrustful (audio)
: having or showing distrust
distrustfully adverb
distrustfulness noun

Examples of distrustful in a Sentence

she was distrustful of her boyfriend's claim of having saved the kitten from a raging fire naturally distrustful of politicians who claim to have all the answers
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Patrick is willing to do anything to help his wife but becomes distrustful of Ella-Rose even as Abigail falls under her spell. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2025 Over time, the person on the receiving end becomes distrustful of you. Tessa West, Contributor, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025 But with their publics already distrustful of Washington, European governments will balk at the pressure to buy American. Jack Watling, Foreign Affairs, 24 Mar. 2025 Since the election, the phrase has become popular among an online right distrustful of legacy news outlets. Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for distrustful

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of distrustful was in 1589

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Cite this Entry

“Distrustful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distrustful. Accessed 17 May. 2025.

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