driven by mistrust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "driven by mistrust" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions, decisions, or behaviors that are influenced or motivated by a lack of trust in someone or something. Example: "The negotiations broke down, driven by mistrust between the two parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is panic buying driven by mistrust.

The Economist

Mark Baker, ATL's president, added that teachers faced "so much bureaucracy driven by mistrust, driven by an unquenchable thirst for data but so utterly pointless".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In a war that was driven by ethnic mistrust and racist propaganda, they suffered.

The Guardian - Travel

Both are traditionalist movements driven by economic anxiety and mistrust of centralised government power.

The Economist

Into the vacuum left by the missing weapons have swirled all the demons of political combat unleashed by what promises to be an extraordinarily bitter election campaign driven by powerful undercurrents of mistrust and fear.

The New Yorker

Distrust can be defined as a healthy scepticism, while mistrust comprises a more unhealthy cynicism driven by actual or suspected misdeeds.

BMJ Open

Probably driven by talking dogs.

The New Yorker

"We're driven by competition".

The New York Times

He was driven by ambition.

The New Yorker

I'm driven by that.

The New York Times

We're driven by that".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "driven by mistrust", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being mistrusted and why. Providing specific examples strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "driven by mistrust" in overly emotional or sensationalized writing. While appropriate in certain situations, overuse can weaken the impact and appear cliché. Consider alternatives that offer more nuance, such as "influenced by skepticism" or "prompted by distrust".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driven by mistrust" functions as a post-positive modifier, describing the underlying cause or motivation behind a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. For example, "panic buying driven by mistrust" illustrates this function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "driven by mistrust" is a grammatically sound phrase used to explain motivations rooted in a lack of trust. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and indicates its presence across various sources, including news outlets and scientific publications. While not exceptionally common, the phrase is readily understood and serves to attribute actions and decisions to underlying skepticism or disbelief. When utilizing this expression, ensure the context establishes what exactly is being mistrusted and why. Alternative phrases like "motivated by skepticism" or "fueled by suspicion" can offer nuances depending on your writing objective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivated by skepticism

Focuses on a questioning attitude rather than outright lack of trust.

fueled by suspicion

Highlights the energizing aspect of distrust, implying increased activity.

prompted by distrust

Emphasizes the initiating factor of a lack of trust.

caused by lack of faith

Uses "faith" as a synonym for trust, broadening the scope slightly.

rooted in cynicism

Suggests a deep-seated negativity as the basis for action.

inspired by wariness

Implies a cautious approach due to a lack of trust.

underpinned by doubt

Focuses on the uncertainty that leads to a lack of trust.

born of disbelief

Highlights the initial rejection of trust.

resulting from incredulity

Uses a more formal term for disbelief.

founded on apprehension

Emphasizes anxiety and fear of the unknown as the basis.

FAQs

How can I use "driven by mistrust" in a sentence?

You can use "driven by mistrust" to describe actions, decisions, or situations that are primarily motivated by a lack of trust. For example, "The trade war was largely "driven by mistrust" between the two nations".

What's a good alternative to "driven by mistrust"?

Depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, you could use alternatives like "motivated by skepticism", "fueled by suspicion", or "prompted by distrust".

Is it better to say "driven by distrust" or "driven by mistrust"?

"Distrust" and "mistrust" are often used interchangeably. While "distrust" may sound slightly more formal, both are acceptable. Therefore, "driven by distrust" and ""driven by mistrust"" are both correct.

What does it mean when something is described as "driven by mistrust"?

It means that the primary reason or motivation behind an action, decision, or situation is a lack of trust. It implies that people involved do not have confidence in others or in the system itself.