distrustful

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "distrustful" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective which means "having or showing a lack of trust or confidence in someone or something". For example, "The citizens felt a deep distrustful of the government's policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In fact, technocracy and populism reinforce each other: liberal elites become ever more distrustful of democracy; illiberal people seek to defy them.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The question is: is the UK ready to accept or encourage greater integration of the eurozone or is the UK distrustful of that and will it create obstacles and make it more difficult to happen?" The Financial Times (subscription) says the Lib Dems are pushing for Hong Kong-style regulations relating to bankers' bonuses.

The Guardian

Talk to a banker, and they'll tell you that utilitarian approach goes both ways: clients these days are distrustful and turn to banks simply to execute or to provide them with very situation-specific advice or services.

The Guardian - Money

Blindly paternalistic in his dealings with his surly, distrustful charges, Wikus grins vapidly while his colleagues invade their homes and beat them if they resist.

The Economist

This is a perfectly respectable point of view and it is an interesting counterpoint to Mr Blair's fervent belief in what he calls the "enabling state .But it is hard to see how Mr Howard's enthusiasm for a greatly shrunken state combines with his need to persuade those distrustful voters that the public services will be safe in Tory hands.

The Economist

In post-Bourne films, Western security forces are consistently portrayed as either institutionally evil or, at best, the home of some extremely bad apples.This trend might suggest that the Western world is deeply distrustful of those who are paid to keep it safe.

The Economist

A directly elected president is what most Australians, distrustful of their politicians, say they would like.

The Economist

HIS seven online aliases which include Anarchaos, POW and yohoho suggest that Jeremy Hammond, as somebody who spends much of his time at a keyboard talking to other people with aliases online, is a distrustful man.

The Economist

I just would not expect it to have magical effects on the public's angry, distrustful mood.(Photo credit: KAREN BLEIER / AFP).

The Economist

History makes them distrustful of Russia and its intentions.Riza Nuradinov, a 65-year-old Tatar, grew up in exile in Uzbekistan, where memories of the Stalin-era deportation were passed along like "mother's milk", he says.

The Economist

They are distrustful, however, of international efforts to force them to unify.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "distrustful", ensure the context clearly indicates the object or person being distrusted. For example, specify 'distrustful of politicians' rather than simply 'distrustful'.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "distrustful". The correct preposition is usually "of". Avoid constructions like 'distrustful with' or 'distrustful about'.

Linguistic Context

The word "distrustful" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe someone or something characterized by a lack of trust or suspicion. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "distrustful" is a versatile adjective used to describe a lack of trust or a state of suspicion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently appears in diverse contexts, especially in news and media. It is considered neutral, allowing its employment in both formal and informal communications. Remember to use the preposition "of" after "distrustful" and to clearly identify what is being distrusted. While alternatives like "suspicious" or "wary" exist, "distrustful" provides a specific connotation that is often most appropriate. "Distrustful" describes a sentiment felt toward governments, politicians and entities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Suspicious

Focuses more on suspecting wrongdoing or deception.

Wary

Emphasizes caution and vigilance due to potential danger or deception.

Skeptical

Highlights doubt and questioning of claims or statements.

Apprehensive

Implies anxiety or fear about potential negative outcomes.

Leery

Suggests a hesitant or cautious approach due to past experiences or uncertainty.

Doubting

Focuses on uncertainty and lack of belief.

Unconvinced

Indicates a failure to be persuaded or convinced.

Cynical

Highlights a general distrust of others' motives and integrity.

Questioning

Emphasizes the act of inquiring and challenging information.

Uncertain

Implies a lack of sureness or confidence about something.

FAQs

How can I use "distrustful" in a sentence?

You can use "distrustful" to describe someone who lacks trust or is suspicious. For instance, "The refugees were "distrustful of" the border guards" or "He was "distrustful of" her motives."

What is a less formal word for "distrustful"?

While "distrustful" is suitable for most contexts, you could use "suspicious" or "wary" in more casual settings. However, be mindful of the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "distrustful" and "suspicious"?

"Distrustful" implies a general lack of trust, while "suspicious" suggests suspecting wrongdoing or something hidden. You might be "distrustful of" a new company, but "suspicious of" a specific employee's actions.

When is it appropriate to use "distrustful" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "distrustful" when describing a lack of faith or confidence in someone or something, especially when there are reasons to be cautious or skeptical. Ensure your writing clearly identifies the object or person being viewed with distrust.