MISTRUSTFUL Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

mistrustful

adjective

Definition of mistrustful

as in skeptical

inclined to doubt or question claims we were mistrustful of the so-called "miracle cure" for obesity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unsure

not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something inhabitants of that remote community tend to be mistrustful of outsiders

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 mistrustful Our ability to win over local constituencies deeply mistrustful of both our products and our leaders is uncertain. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2026 The Social Democrats, led by Kurt Schumacher, a prickly figure who had suffered horribly for resisting the Nazis, were mistrustful of the United States and hoped to reunify Germany as a neutral state at the center of Europe. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 Once a lawyerly panel, a takeover by a trio of conservatives deeply mistrustful of the state’s voting system has turned the board’s once mundane meetings into boisterous events packed with crowds of cheering and jeering activists. — Tamar Hallerman, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026 The idea is to strategically moderate on certain cultural issues in order to become more palatable to mistrustful constituencies. — Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026 People are mistrustful of government at all levels right now, according to Larson. — R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026 Initially mistrustful of each other, the two men bond over Molina's stories about movie star Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez) and her starring role in the eponymous film-within-a-film. — Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistrustful

Adjective

Progressives like Melat Kiros have signaled their votes for Jeffries might be up for grabs unless their leadership embraces more left-leaning policies, but most Democrats are skeptical about major defections.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Gabriel, however, is more skeptical, arguing that infrastructure carries the incentives of the model that built it, making a brand with less influence likely to struggle to resist a parent company oriented around speed, efficiency, and growth.

— Jessica Binns, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of skeptical

Adjective

The Salt Lake County clerk requests assistance to secure the polls, but the sheriff, unsure about jurisdiction, declines.

— Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
The equipment truck had left spring training in Tempe, Arizona, and was in Salt Lake City, unsure where to go, when Selig called traveling secretary Tommy Ferguson, who had held the same job with the Braves.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of unsure

Adjective

The authentication process combines human expertise and AI integration to flag any suspicious activity and ensure that listings follow commercial industry standards.

— Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
What readers are saying The comments discuss a case involving a person who sent letters containing a suspicious substance, with many commenters criticizing the individual's intelligence for including his return address.

— Violet Jira, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of suspicious

Adjective

Those assumptions can be quite uncertain when designing an entirely new study.

— Mark Louie F. Ramos, STAT, 21 Oct. 2026
Specialists recommend seeking a second opinion from a neurologist who specializes in MS when a diagnosis is uncertain, particularly before starting medications that affect the immune system.

— Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of uncertain

Adjective

Be cautious about unfamiliar apps with extensive permissions.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
And while Denton appears to be the right person to focus on cost savings and efficiencies, Wall Street remained cautious on the timing of Nike’s turnaround.

— Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of cautious

Adjective

Jones was often jealous, distrustful, possessive and controlling of his girlfriend, according to the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
The women recognize each other from group therapy and immediately are distrustful of one another.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of distrustful

Adjective

And so far, things seem to be operating smoothly — something local residents have grown to expect, given the high caliber of local elections officials and the careful oversight of political parties.

— Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
His work is known for its careful handling of color and its feel for the mood of ordinary days.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of careful

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mistrusted

mistrustful

mistrustfully

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“Mistrustful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistrustful. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mistrustful

adjective

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