a profound distrust of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a profound distrust of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a deep-seated lack of trust or confidence in someone or something. Example: "Her experiences with the organization led to a profound distrust of its motives and actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

He had a profound distrust of people's possibilities, and it came out in his personality".

The New York Times - Books

"Any reaching out to survivors is a good thing, but every survivor I have heard speak has a profound distrust of church personnel.

The New York Times

His experiences in Nazi Germany and his humanist sensibility gave him a profound distrust of nationalism and militarism, and he was deeply troubled by recent trends in national political leadership.

Stanford University

Ever since this period, the peoples of the three kingdoms have had a profound distrust of standing armies, while ideas first mooted during the 1640s, particularly about religious toleration and limitations on power, have survived to this day.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If Mr Libby's evidence is anything to go by, he has been conspiring and manoeuvring ever since.It was also during the Ford administration that Mr Cheney seems to have acquired a profound distrust of the CIA.

The Economist

At the nub of the argument the colonists had used to discredit the authority of Parliament and the British monarchy was a profound distrust of any central authority that issued directives from a great distance.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Instead of bias, what animates these voters, whatever their race or political orientation, is a profound distrust and resentment of wealthier, educated Americans, a group they say lacks a connection to them and does not care about their economic situation.

The New York Times

The tumult of the twentieth century has bred both a profound distrust in authority and a commitment to privacy.

The New Yorker

And they worry that others appear to reflect a profound distrust of and perhaps even animosity toward the scientific community and the federal agencies that fund their work.

Science Magazine

A profound distrust pervades our political discourse.

Huffington Post

We have a profound distrust, yet fascination, with people not being who they say they are.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a profound distrust of", ensure the object of distrust is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "a profound distrust of the government" rather than leaving it open to interpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "a profound distrust of" when a milder sentiment of skepticism or caution is more appropriate. Profound implies a deeply ingrained and significant lack of trust, which may be too strong for some situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a profound distrust of" functions as a noun phrase followed by a preposition. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it typically acts as the object of a verb, expressing a strong negative sentiment towards a person, institution, or concept.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a profound distrust of" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase expressing a deep-seated lack of trust or confidence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and identifies its usage in contexts such as news, encyclopedias, and academia. While relatively uncommon, it's important to ensure the intensity of the phrase aligns with the intended meaning. Consider alternatives like "deep-seated skepticism towards" or "extreme lack of confidence in" if a milder sentiment is more appropriate. When writing, clearly define the object of distrust and avoid overstating the intensity to maintain clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

profound lack of faith in

Emphasizes the absence of belief or trust, using "faith" as a synonym for confidence.

deep-seated skepticism towards

Replaces "distrust" with "skepticism", indicating a more intellectual doubt rather than an emotional lack of trust.

deep-rooted suspicion of

Highlights the deep-seated and possibly irrational nature of the distrust.

extreme lack of confidence in

Substitutes "distrust" with "lack of confidence", emphasizing a deficiency in assurance or faith.

intense cynicism regarding

Employs "cynicism" to suggest a belief that people are generally motivated by self-interest.

intense wariness towards

Substitutes "distrust" with "wariness", suggesting caution and a need to be on guard.

grave reservations about

Uses "reservations" to imply hesitation or doubt, often in a formal context.

strong misgivings concerning

Replaces "distrust" with "misgivings", suggesting feelings of doubt or apprehension about the outcome or consequences of something.

marked incredulity about

Employs "incredulity" to highlight disbelief or skepticism, particularly towards claims or assertions.

pronounced lack of conviction in

Replaces distrust with a "lack of conviction", signaling a lack of firm belief or certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "a profound distrust of" in a sentence?

You can use "a profound distrust of" to express a strong lack of faith or confidence in someone or something. For example, "His experiences in the war instilled "a profound distrust of" authority figures."

What's the difference between "a profound distrust of" and "a healthy skepticism towards"?

"A profound distrust of" implies a deep-seated lack of faith, often stemming from negative experiences. "A healthy skepticism towards" suggests a more measured and rational questioning. The first is more emotional and the second is more intellectual.

What can I say instead of "a profound distrust of"?

You can use alternatives like "deep-seated skepticism towards", "extreme lack of confidence in", or "intense cynicism regarding" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever inappropriate to use "a profound distrust of"?

Using "a profound distrust of" might be inappropriate if the situation calls for a milder expression of doubt or uncertainty. Overstating the intensity of your distrust can damage relationships or create unnecessary conflict.