feel mistrustful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel mistrustful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a sense of distrust or skepticism towards someone or something. Example: "After hearing the rumors, I began to feel mistrustful of his intentions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In a word, that sort of poor risk communication will make you feel mistrustful.

Huffington Post

Psychiatrists can often feel like peddlers (some are) and it's hard not to feel mistrustful of someone who has known you for all of 20 minutes putting you on a medication which will change your fundamental self.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

When Democrats are in power, Western populists feel especially mistrustful and beleaguered.

The New Yorker

If our interactions are disagreeable and rude, we're likely to feel angry and mistrustful".

Huffington Post

And the Obama campaign's remorseless exhumation of every lay-off, factory closure or cut in benefits that occurred at the firms that Bain Capital invested in when Mr Romney was in charge of the private-equity firm have left many working-class voters who feel strongly about social issues mistrustful of him for different reasons.Mr Obama has his vulnerabilities in this area, too.

The Economist

I felt lonely, isolated and mistrustful.

The New York Times

I felt angry and confused, mistrustful of practically everyone.

The Guardian - Opinion

Muslims feel under siege, while being accused of besieging an unwitting and overly tolerant majority who in turn will be fearful and mistrustful.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is a red flag and could signify that you may be feeling insecure and/or mistrustful.

Huffington Post

Stoscheck's neighbors knew nothing about fracking, but "they were really mistrustful of the government and large gas corporations and felt they were in collusion".

Huffington Post

The two came to realize they had much in common: both had been protected and sheltered from the real world, both felt they had missed out on a normal childhood, both were mistrustful of outsiders having spent most of their lives feeling exploited by them, and both had problems with the media.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel mistrustful" when you want to convey a sense of unease or lack of faith in a person, system, or situation. It's suitable for describing emotional responses to perceived untrustworthiness.

Common error

While "feel mistrustful" is grammatically correct, it can sound somewhat informal or conversational in highly formal writing. Consider more sophisticated synonyms like "harbor reservations" or "experience a lack of confidence" for professional or academic pieces.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel mistrustful" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating a subjective emotional state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. The verb "feel" links the subject to the adjective "mistrustful", expressing the subject's sensation or perception.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "feel mistrustful" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to express a personal sense of distrust. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English. Although relatively rare, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. When writing, consider the formality of your audience and whether a synonym like "feel suspicious" or "feel skeptical" might be more appropriate. While universally understood, be mindful of the potential for misinterpretation in certain professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel suspicious

This alternative suggests a guarded uncertainty about someone or something.

feel distrustful

This alternative is nearly synonymous, emphasizing a lack of trust.

feel skeptical

This suggests a questioning attitude, doubting the validity of something.

feel wary

This suggests caution and alertness to potential dangers or problems.

feel apprehensive

This implies anxiety or fear about something that might happen.

feel dubious

This suggests uncertainty or doubt about the truth or quality of something.

feel disinclined to trust

This expresses an active resistance to trusting someone or something.

feel cynical

This indicates a belief that people are generally selfish and dishonest.

feel insecure

This suggests a lack of confidence, leading to mistrust.

feel jaded

This implies a sense of disillusionment, often leading to mistrust.

FAQs

How can I use "feel mistrustful" in a sentence?

You can use "feel mistrustful" to describe a personal sense of distrust. For example, "After the company's repeated failures, many investors "feel mistrustful" of its leadership."

What are some alternatives to "feel mistrustful"?

Alternatives include "feel suspicious", "feel distrustful", or "feel skeptical", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "feel mistrustful" or "are mistrustful"?

"Feel mistrustful" describes a current emotional state, while "are mistrustful" describes a more general characteristic or tendency. The best choice depends on whether you're emphasizing a temporary feeling or an enduring trait.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "feel mistrustful"?

It's appropriate when you want to express a subjective experience of distrust, often based on specific events or behaviors. However, consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing, and adjust your language as needed.