Distrustfulness — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

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

Meaning & Definition of Distrustfulness

Distrustfulness (adjective)

  1. having or showing distrust

Distrustfulness (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

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

    "one voter who usually listens to campaign promises with an air of distrustfulness"

    similar: distrust, 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

Related Entry: Distrustful (adjective)

Distrustful is a different word from Distrustfulness. The synonyms below are for distrustful, not for distrustfulness.

  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

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Distrustfulness

The most common words with a similar meaning to Distrustfulness:

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

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Distrustfulness

Words with the opposite meaning of Distrustfulness:

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

Related Words for Distrustfulness

disbelief, incredulity, unbelief, anxiety, concern, paranoia, wariness, compunction, niggle, qualm, scruple, tremor

Near Antonyms of Distrustfulness

credence, faith

Word Forms of Distrustfulness

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

Origin & Etymology of Distrustfulness

First known use: 1589

Frequently Asked Questions about Distrustfulness

What does "Distrustfulness" mean?

"Distrustfulness" means having or showing distrust. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: having or showing distrust.

What is another word for "Distrustfulness"?

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

What are different ways to say "Distrustfulness"?

There are 26 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Distrustfulness". Common alternatives include distrust, doubt, dubiety, dubitation, incertitude, misdoubt, misgiving, mistrust, mistrustfulness and query.

What is the opposite of "Distrustfulness"?

Antonyms of "Distrustfulness" include assurance, belief, certainty, certitude, confidence, conviction, sureness and surety. Near antonyms include credence and faith.

How do you use "Distrustfulness" in a sentence?

Examples of "Distrustfulness" in a sentence: "one voter who usually listens to campaign promises with an air of distrustfulness".

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

"Distrustfulness" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Distrustfulness"?

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

What is the origin of the word "Distrustfulness"?

First known use: 1589.