DISTRUST Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

distrust 1 of 2

noun

(ˌ)dis-ˈtrəst

Definition of distrust

as in doubt

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

distrust

2 of 2

verb

as in to doubt

to have no trust or confidence in we instinctively distrust those phone calls that tell us we have won a free vacation or car

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of distrust

Noun

In the current election cycle, 50% of Republicans surveyed distrust mail-in voting, and 51% fear voting by noncitizens. — Christopher Miller, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2026 But Califf also said that distrust in federal health agencies goes beyond Kennedy and reflects the frustration Americans have with high health care costs. — Chelsea Cirruzzo, STAT, 14 Oct. 2026

Verb

These small transgressions added up to a sense of ourselves as special, exempt from the rules—but also disliked, distrusted, untrustworthy, apart. — Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026 Does Lowen distrust Verity for good reason, or has she just been conditioned to resent her? — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for distrust

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distrust

Noun

Election deniers are using public records to sow doubt in California.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Those fiscal strains come as political volatility and social unrest raise doubts about the government’s ability to deliver measures aimed at stabilizing the public finances.

— Jenni Reid,Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of doubt

Noun

Further down, The 7 covers a new poll showing Americans’ skepticism of AI.

— Jamie Ross, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026
Targeting a smaller raise could protect a higher valuation, but might trigger skepticism over how the AI firm will fund its massive infrastructure needs in a volatile bond market.

— Justin Zacks, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of skepticism

Noun

Given that the dynamic between Europe and Russia is now characterized by pervasive mutual suspicion, conspiracy theories, and expectations of war, there is a growing danger of inadvertent escalation.

— Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026
Anxiety and suspicion about robot infiltrators are everywhere — and so are people claiming to hunt the robots down.

— T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of suspicion

Noun

Admirers viewed him as a capable leader who could steer the nation through global uncertainties, the image carefully crafted by the mainstream media.

— JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Taiwanese officials and companies described these systems as a way to introduce uncertainty and danger for an approaching force.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of uncertainty

Noun

Lee uses this to his advantage, pretending to be a pidgin-speaking Chinese immigrant to protect himself from white people’s suspicion and mistrust.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
Goodwin, its president, credits a pandemic-era mistrust of public education, when debates ignited over school closures, books, race, sexuality and gender identity.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of mistrust

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districts

distrust

distrusted

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“Distrust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distrust. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of distrust

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