distrust

1 of 2

noun

dis·​trust (ˌ)dis-ˈtrəst How to pronounce distrust (audio)
: the lack or absence of trust

distrust

2 of 2

verb

distrusted; distrusting; distrusts

transitive verb

: to have no trust or confidence in

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
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.
Noun
Over the past eight years, social media platforms have been skillfully manipulated to provoke anger, rage, fear, and distrust, setting individuals and groups against one another. Peter Suciu, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025 Like Nila—a budding photographer who paints a quote from Goethe above her desk—these kids are sensitive and artsy, with a proud distrust of mainstream German society. Anahid Nersessian, The New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
With media becoming more fragmented and distrusted even as (or because) there’s more of it than ever, this felt like a good moment to catch up with Stevens. Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2025 Victoria, for her part, distrusts the external world. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for distrust

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1513, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1548, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of distrust was in 1513

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Distrust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distrust. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

distrust

1 of 2 verb
dis·​trust (ˈ)dis-ˈtrəst How to pronounce distrust (audio)
: to have no trust or confidence in

distrust

2 of 2 noun
: a lack of trust or confidence
distrustful
-fəl
adjective
distrustfully
-fə-lē
adverb
distrustfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on distrust

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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