Distrustful — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /(ˌ)dis-ˈtrəs(t)-fəl/ dis·trust·ful

Meaning & Definition of Distrustful

Distrustful (adjective)

  1. having or showing distrust

Distrustful (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. inclined to doubt or question claims

    "she was distrustful of her boyfriend's claim of having saved the kitten from a raging fire"

    similar: disbelieving, doubting, incredulous, mistrustful, negativistic, questioning, show-me, skeptical, suspecting, suspicious, unbelieving
    related: paranoid, critical, puzzled, quizzical, careful, cautious, guarded, gun-shy, leery, wary, watchful, cynical, experienced, knowing, sophisticated, worldly, worldly-wise, curious, inquiring, inquisitive, nosy, snoopy, uncertain, unconvinced, undecided, undetermined, unsettled, unsure, hesitant
    opposite: credulous, gullible, trustful, trusting, uncritical, unquestioning
    near: green, ingenuous, innocent, naive, simple, simpleminded, unknowing, unsophisticated, unworldly, wide-eyed, certain, confident, positive, sure, callow, inexperienced, raw, childlike, idealistic, impractical, beguiled, deceived, duped, gulled, tricked, careless, heedless, unsuspecting, unsuspicious, unwary

  2. not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something

    "naturally distrustful of politicians who claim to have all the answers"

    similar: doubtful, dubious, hinky (slang), mistrustful, skeptical, suspicious, trustless, uncertain, unconvinced, undecided, unsettled, unsure, on the fence
    related: ambivalent, conflicted, equivocal, diffident, insecure, halting, hesitant, indecisive, irresolute, vacillating, wavering
    opposite: certain, convinced, positive, sure
    near: assured, confident, sanguine, self-assured, decisive, determined, resolute

Related Entry: Self-distrustful (adjective)

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

  1. as in insecure, self-doubting

    similar: diffident, insecure, self-doubting, meek, timid, unassertive, humble, modest, unassuming, unpretentious, jittery, jumpy, nervous, bashful, demure, mousy, overmodest, quiet, reserved, shy, self-critical, self-reproachful, self-reproving
    opposite: assured, confident, secure, self-asserting, self-assured, self-confident, collected, composed, cool, coolheaded, poised, recollected, self-possessed, serene, tranquil, unperturbed, unshaken, hopeful, optimistic, rosy, sanguine, upbeat

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Distrustful

The most common words with a similar meaning to Distrustful:

Slang: hinky
disbelieving, doubting, incredulous, mistrustful, negativistic, questioning, show-me, skeptical, suspecting, suspicious, unbelieving, doubtful, dubious, trustless, uncertain, unconvinced, undecided, unsettled, unsure, on the fence

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Distrustful

Words with the opposite meaning of Distrustful:

credulous, gullible, trustful, trusting, uncritical, unquestioning, certain, convinced, positive, sure

Related Words for Distrustful

paranoid, critical, puzzled, quizzical, careful, cautious, guarded, gun-shy, leery, wary, watchful, cynical, experienced, knowing, sophisticated, worldly, worldly-wise, curious, inquiring, inquisitive, nosy, snoopy, undetermined, hesitant, ambivalent, conflicted, equivocal, diffident, insecure, halting

Near Antonyms of Distrustful

green, ingenuous, innocent, naive, simple, simpleminded, unknowing, unsophisticated, unworldly, wide-eyed, confident, callow, inexperienced, raw, childlike, idealistic, impractical, beguiled, deceived, duped, gulled, tricked, careless, heedless, unsuspecting, unsuspicious, unwary, assured, sanguine, self-assured

Word Forms of Distrustful

Derived words: distrustfully (adverb), distrustfulness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Distrustful

First known use: 1589

Frequently Asked Questions about Distrustful

What does "Distrustful" mean?

"Distrustful" means having or showing distrust. As an adjective, it is defined as: having or showing distrust. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Distrustful"?

Other words for "Distrustful" include disbelieving, doubting, incredulous, mistrustful, negativistic, questioning, show-me and skeptical. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Distrustful" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Distrustful"?

There are 55 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Distrustful". Common alternatives include disbelieving, doubting, incredulous, mistrustful, negativistic, questioning, show-me, skeptical, suspecting and suspicious.

What is the opposite of "Distrustful"?

Antonyms of "Distrustful" include credulous, gullible, trustful, trusting, uncritical, unquestioning, certain and convinced. Near antonyms include green, ingenuous, innocent and naive.

How do you use "Distrustful" in a sentence?

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".

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

"Distrustful" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Distrustful"?

"Distrustful" is pronounced /(ˌ)dis-ˈtrəs(t)-fəl/ and divided into syllables as dis·trust·ful.

What is the origin of the word "Distrustful"?

First known use: 1589.