breed mistrust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "breed mistrust" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or behaviors that lead to a lack of trust between individuals or groups. Example: "The constant secrecy surrounding the negotiations began to breed mistrust among the stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

How might this protect or breed mistrust between spouses?

The New York Times

Our debates have to be a healthy exchange of ideas, not divisive attacks that breed mistrust and hatred.

Huffington Post

Such situations can quickly breed mistrust and propagate splinter events that have no bearing on or coherence to the original trust triggering event.

Huffington Post

When anything can be a surprise, it tends to breed mistrust in the audience, and mistrust is the biggest enemy possible of good storytelling.

Los Angeles Times

"DHS must continue to work to avoid creating a climate of spying that can breed mistrust and prove counterproductive," Michael Chertoff and Jane Harman recently wrote in The Huffington Post.

Huffington Post

But in the modern era, there is no excuse for privately-owned voting machines that breed mistrust, confusing ballot designs, polling places with long lines, voter registration laws that leave nearly a third of Americans off the rolls, an Electoral College system that undercuts equality and voting methods that suppress voter choice and stifle fair representation.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

His fascination with tactics, his past as a Rockefeller Republican and his grandiose statements bred mistrust.

The New York Times

The lack of open communication has bred mistrust on both sides, especially since the summer's tour of China.

The Guardian - Sport

Dinkins, said the Giuliani administration had abandoned community policing, increased firepower and fumbled minority hiring in a way that bred mistrust among blacks and Latinos.

The New York Times

"Ultimately, withholding such information breeds mistrust and suspicion — both of the United States and of companies that must comply with government legal directives".

The New York Times

Stop-and-frisk as carried out in New York breeds mistrust of law enforcement among communities of color — particularly young men, who are disproportionately targeted for stops.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "breed mistrust", ensure the subject clearly identifies the cause or source of the distrust. This will strengthen the sentence and clarify the relationship being described.

Common error

Avoid using "breed mistrust" when the situation only causes mild uncertainty or questioning. Save it for instances where genuine and significant loss of trust occurs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breed mistrust" functions as a verb phrase, where "breed" acts as a causative verb indicating that something causes or generates "mistrust". Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "breed mistrust" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey that something causes a lack of trust. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity and usefulness in English writing. It appears most frequently in news and media, with the phrase serving to highlight cause-and-effect relationships. While interchangeable with alternatives like "foster distrust" or "generate suspicion", "breed mistrust" suggests a gradual and organic development of distrust over time. When using the phrase "breed mistrust", ensure that the subject and the cause of the distrust are clearly identified to make the statement more impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foster distrust

Emphasizes the nurturing and development of distrust over time.

generate suspicion

Focuses on creating a feeling of doubt or uncertainty.

create skepticism

Highlights the development of a questioning or doubting attitude.

sow seeds of doubt

Suggests planting the initial elements that lead to mistrust.

encourage disbelief

Implies actively promoting a lack of belief or faith.

give rise to cynicism

Indicates the development of a scornful or mocking attitude.

spark apprehension

Focuses on initiating a feeling of anxiety or fear.

instill wariness

Suggests gradually implanting a cautious or guarded attitude.

cultivate a lack of confidence

Emphasizes carefully developing an absence of assurance or faith.

prompt a climate of disbelief

Focuses on creating an environment where doubt is prevalent.

FAQs

How can I use "breed mistrust" in a sentence?

You can use "breed mistrust" to describe situations or actions that lead to a loss of trust, such as "Secrecy can "breed mistrust" between individuals".

What are some alternatives to "breed mistrust"?

Alternatives include "foster distrust", "generate suspicion", or "create skepticism" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "breed mistrust" a formal or informal phrase?

"Breed mistrust" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but its impact is strongest in analytical or descriptive writing where the cause-and-effect relationship is central.

What's the difference between "breed mistrust" and "create mistrust"?

While similar, "breed mistrust" suggests a gradual development or fostering of mistrust over time, whereas "create mistrust" implies a more immediate or direct causation.