Distrust — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /(ˌ)dis-ˈtrəst/ dis·trust

Meaning & Definition of Distrust

Distrust (noun)

  1. the lack or absence of trust

Distrust (verb)

  1. to have no trust or confidence in

Distrust (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a feeling or attitude that one does not know the truth, truthfulness, or trustworthiness of someone or something

    "the psychic's bold claims were greeted with distrust and outright scorn"

    similar: distrustfulness, doubt, dubiety, dubitation (archaic), incertitude, misdoubt, misgiving, mistrust, mistrustfulness, query, reservation, skepticism, suspicion, uncertainty
    related: disbelief, incredulity, unbelief, anxiety, concern, paranoia, wariness, compunction, niggle (chiefly British), qualm, scruple, tremor
    opposite: assurance, belief, certainty, certitude, confidence, conviction, sureness, surety, trust
    near: credence, faith

Distrust (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to have no trust or confidence in

    "we instinctively distrust those phone calls that tell us we have won a free vacation or car"

    similar: doubt, misdoubt, mistrust, question, suspect
    related: disbelieve, discount, discredit, negate
    opposite: trust
    near: bank (on or upon), count (on or upon), depend (on or upon), rely (on or upon)

Related Entry: Self-distrust (noun)

Self-distrust is a different word from Distrust. The synonyms below are for self-distrust, not for distrust.

  1. as in insecurity, self-doubt

    similar: diffidence, insecurity, self-doubt, apprehension, doubt, misgiving
    opposite: aplomb, assurance, confidence, self-assurance, self-assuredness, self-confidence, self-esteem, self-trust, cockiness, complacence, complacency, conceit, conceitedness, ego, egoism, egotism, hubris, overconfidence, pomposity, pompousness, pride, pridefulness, self-admiration, self-applause, self-assumption, self-complacency, self-conceit, self-consequence, self-content, self-contentment, self-glorification, self-importance, self-opinion, self-partiality, self-satisfaction, smugness, vaingloriousness, vainglory, vanity, calmness, composure, coolness, equanimity

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Distrust

The most common words with a similar meaning to Distrust:

Archaic: dubitation
distrustfulness, doubt, dubiety, incertitude, misdoubt, misgiving, mistrust, mistrustfulness, query, reservation, skepticism, suspicion, uncertainty, question, suspect

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Distrust

Words with the opposite meaning of Distrust:

assurance, belief, certainty, certitude, confidence, conviction, sureness, surety, trust

Related Words for Distrust

disbelief, incredulity, unbelief, anxiety, concern, paranoia, wariness, compunction, niggle, qualm, scruple, tremor, disbelieve, discount, discredit, negate

Near Antonyms of Distrust

credence, faith, bank (on or upon), count (on or upon), depend (on or upon), rely (on or upon)

Word Forms of Distrust

Inflections: distrusted, distrusting, distrusts

Origin & Etymology of Distrust

First known use: circa 1532

Words & Phrases Containing Distrust

self-distrust

Frequently Asked Questions about Distrust

What does "Distrust" mean?

"Distrust" means the lack or absence of trust. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: the lack or absence of trust. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Distrust"?

Other words for "Distrust" include distrustfulness, doubt, dubiety, dubitation, incertitude, misdoubt, misgiving and mistrust. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Distrust" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Distrust"?

There are 32 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Distrust". Common alternatives include distrustfulness, doubt, dubiety, dubitation, incertitude, misdoubt, misgiving, mistrust, mistrustfulness and query.

What is the opposite of "Distrust"?

Antonyms of "Distrust" include assurance, belief, certainty, certitude, confidence, conviction, sureness and surety. Near antonyms include credence, faith, bank (on or upon) and count (on or upon).

How do you use "Distrust" in a sentence?

Examples of "Distrust" in a sentence: "the psychic's bold claims were greeted with distrust and outright scorn"; "we instinctively distrust those phone calls that tell us we have won a free vacation or car".

Is "Distrust" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Distrust" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Distrust"?

"Distrust" is pronounced /(ˌ)dis-ˈtrəst/ and divided into syllables as dis·trust.

What is the origin of the word "Distrust"?

First known use: circa 1532.