distrusted; distrusting; distrusts
: to have no trust or confidence in
Synonyms
Examples of distrust in a Sentence
Noun
He has a distrust of doctors.
the psychic's bold claims were greeted with distrust and outright scorn
Verb
She's always distrusted their promises.
we instinctively distrust those phone calls that tell us we have won a free vacation or car
Recent Examples on the Web
Keren Landman, Vox, 27 Nov. 2024
This is especially true for an emerging, relatively isolated continental power with grand ambitions, a slowing economy, and the insecurity of a Marxist-Leninist regime—namely, a deep, near-obsessive distrust of its own citizens.
—Kyle Balzer, Foreign Affairs, 21 Nov. 2024
Andrew Solender, Axios, 9 Dec. 2024
Weaponizing Data Some assertions are more challenging to check out than others, especially when large segments of the public have been persuaded to distrust reputable sources of information.
—Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for distrust 
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Noun
However, there’s at least as big a risk his leadership would instead affirm conservatives’ misgivings while also seeding new distrust among Democrats and centrists who typically have higher levels of confidence in these institutions — just furthering the polarization health doom loop.
—Keren Landman, Vox, 27 Nov. 2024
This is especially true for an emerging, relatively isolated continental power with grand ambitions, a slowing economy, and the insecurity of a Marxist-Leninist regime—namely, a deep, near-obsessive distrust of its own citizens.
—Kyle Balzer, Foreign Affairs, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
Experts say the lack of sympathy may reflect an inherent truth about Americans and their health plans: People tend to like their own insurer but distrust the industry — and indeed, the health system at large.
—Andrew Solender, Axios, 9 Dec. 2024
Weaponizing Data Some assertions are more challenging to check out than others, especially when large segments of the public have been persuaded to distrust reputable sources of information.
—Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for distrust
Dictionary Entries Near distrust
Cite this Entry
“Distrust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distrust. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
distrust
1 of 2 verb
dis·trust
(ˈ)dis-ˈtrəst 
: to have no trust or confidence in
distrust
2 of 2 noun
: a lack of trust or confidence
distrustful
adjective
-fəl
distrustfully
adverb
-fə-lē
distrustfulness
noun
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