Word
distrustful
Phoneticsdis·trust·ful, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈstɹəstfəɫ/
UK/dɪstɹˈʌstfəl/
Definition
adj. not quick to trust people or things because you think they might lie or harm you.
adj. inclined to withhold trust from people, claims, or situations perceived as potentially dishonest or unreliable.
Examples
“She feels distrustful of strangers who ask for money.”
“After two scams, he grew distrustful of online sellers who demanded payment in advance.”
“A distrustful electorate, wearied by broken promises, now scrutinises every policy announcement for hidden costs and quiet reversals.”
Examples
simple
“She feels distrustful of strangers who ask for money.”
contextual
“After two scams, he grew distrustful of online sellers who demanded payment in advance.”
complex
“A distrustful electorate, wearied by broken promises, now scrutinises every policy announcement for hidden costs and quiet reversals.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “distrustful” in context.
Verb
01. become distrustful
“Children who are bullied may become distrustful of their peers.”
verb + adj
02. distrustful of authority
“Teenagers are often distrustful of authority without clear reason.”
adj + prep + noun
03. distrustful of media
“Many voters are distrustful of media coverage during elections.”
adj + prep + noun
04. distrustful of technology
“My grandparents are distrustful of technology for banking.”
adj + prep + noun
05. grow distrustful
“After several delays, customers began to grow distrustful of the airline.”
verb + adj
Adjective
06. deeply distrustful
“After the scam, she became deeply distrustful of unsolicited phone calls.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. distrustful attitude
“His distrustful attitude made teamwork very difficult.”
adj + noun
08. distrustful glance
“He cast a distrustful glance at the contract before signing.”
adj + noun
09. distrustful look
“She gave the salesman a distrustful look and walked away.”
adj + noun
10. become increasingly distrustful of
“The public has become increasingly distrustful of official statements.”
11. eye with distrustful suspicion
“Locals eyed the developers with distrustful suspicion.”
12. grow distrustful of strangers
“After living in the big city, she grew distrustful of strangers.”
Usage
Typically followed by 'of'; often used predicatively after 'feel', 'seem', 'become' or 'grow'.
Real-World Examples
“People across the world are generally likely to say yes to getting a COVID-19 vaccine, but would be more distrustful of shots made in China or Russia than those developed in Germany or the United States, an international poll showed on Friday.” “Anti-intellectual, distrustful of logic, and resentful of the American educational process, the hippie drops out —tentatively at first—in search of another, more satisfying world.” Etymology
From distrust + -ful.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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