Mistrustful — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˌmis-ˈtrəst/ mis·trust

Meaning & Definition of Mistrustful

Mistrustful (noun)

  1. a lack of confidence, distrust

Mistrustful (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. inclined to doubt or question claims

    "we were mistrustful of the so-called miracle cure for obesity"

    similar: disbelieving, distrustful, doubting, incredulous, 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

    "inhabitants of that remote community tend to be mistrustful of outsiders"

    similar: distrustful, doubtful, dubious, hinky (slang), 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: Mistrust (noun)

Mistrust is a different word from Mistrustful. The synonyms below are for mistrust, not for mistrustful.

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

    "had an unfortunate mistrust of doctors, so her medical condition was allowed to worsen"

    similar: distrust, distrustfulness, doubt, dubiety, dubitation (archaic), incertitude, misdoubt, misgiving, 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

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Mistrustful

The most common words with a similar meaning to Mistrustful:

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

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Mistrustful

Words with the opposite meaning of Mistrustful:

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

Related Words for Mistrustful

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 Mistrustful

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 Mistrustful

Derived words: mistrustful (adjective), mistrustfully (adverb), mistrustfulness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Mistrustful

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Mistrustful

What does "Mistrustful" mean?

"Mistrustful" means a lack of confidence, distrust. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: a lack of confidence, distrust. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Mistrustful"?

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

What are different ways to say "Mistrustful"?

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

What is the opposite of "Mistrustful"?

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

How do you use "Mistrustful" in a sentence?

Examples of "Mistrustful" in a sentence: "we were mistrustful of the so-called miracle cure for obesity"; "inhabitants of that remote community tend to be mistrustful of outsiders".

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

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

How do you pronounce "Mistrustful"?

"Mistrustful" is pronounced /ˌmis-ˈtrəst/ and divided into syllables as mis·trust.

What is the origin of the word "Mistrustful"?

First known use: 14th century.