hesitant to trust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hesitant to trust" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone who is unsure or reluctant to place their trust in someone or something. Example: "After the recent scandal, she was hesitant to trust anyone in the organization again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

That is one reason banks are hesitant to trust each other.

The New York Times

Once I discovered that Mr. Grossmann is 27 (he confessed with some embarrassment), I was a bit hesitant to trust him on this.

The New York Times

To him, the ideological obstacle to plunging into peacemaking is that he would be hesitant to trust an agreement forged with what he sees as an authoritarian regime, like that of Yasir Arafat, the Palestinian leader.

The New York Times

You see, if we project weakness abroad, our adversaries are that much more willing to test us, to question our resolve, and our allies are more hesitant to trust us.Is Mr Ryan really saying that the rage of flag-burning mobs is triggered by American weakness?

The Economist

Jeff Ireland has done Dolphins fans no favours in the past, so fans are hesitant to trust his judgment, but the fact that he drafted a quarterback who initially played wide receiver in college and who had previously worked with new offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, made fans skeptical of Tannehill's fit.

The Guardian - Sport

Senaratna began thinking about ways to bring modern technology to communities that are very hesitant to trust outsiders.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Some regulators said they were hesitant to believe that the bank was truly reforming its ways, with one official describing the government's reaction as "trust but verify".

The New York Times

Being able to rely on another person is an important aspect, but while a person may be reliable, without trust people would still be hesitant to rely on that person.

WikiHow

Hesitant at first, Brown relented and decided to trust Iverson with a leadership mantle.

The New York Times - Sports

Administration officials, slow to trust in the best of circumstances, were hesitant to invite Democrats to the White House, fearing they might say something nasty about Bush to the press on the way out.

The New York Times

Learning to trust your control will make you faster because you will not be hesitant out of fear of hurting your sparring partner.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hesitant to trust", clearly state the reason for the hesitation to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, "After being misled before, she was "hesitant to trust" new sources of information."

Common error

Avoid using "hesitant to trust" in situations where a lack of trust is not explicitly justified. Overgeneralizing distrust can lead to misinterpretations and damage relationships. Instead, focus on specific reasons for the hesitation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hesitant to trust" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of reluctance or unwillingness to believe in the reliability or honesty of someone or something. Ludwig AI validates its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hesitant to trust" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a reluctance or unwillingness to believe in someone or something. According to Ludwig AI the phrase is correct and usable. It's most frequently found in news and media, reflecting situations where trust is a central issue. When using this phrase, providing context for the hesitation is crucial for clarity. Related phrases include "reluctant to confide" and "wary of trusting", each carrying subtle differences in meaning. Remember to avoid overgeneralizing distrust and consider the specific reasons behind the hesitation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distrustful of

Indicates a general lack of trust in someone or something.

disinclined to trust

Emphasizes a lack of inclination or willingness to trust, often due to previous experiences.

unwilling to rely on

Emphasizes the refusal to depend on someone or something due to a lack of trust.

wary of trusting

Highlights a sense of caution and potential danger associated with trusting.

doubtful about trusting

Indicates uncertainty and skepticism regarding whether trust is warranted.

guarded in trusting

Highlights the careful and cautious approach to trusting, often due to past experiences of betrayal.

reluctant to confide

Focuses on the unwillingness to share personal information or secrets, implying a lack of trust.

apprehensive about trusting

Focuses on the anxiety and unease associated with placing trust in someone or something.

leery of believing

Highlights caution and apprehension about accepting something as true.

suspicious of

Implies a stronger level of distrust, suggesting a belief that someone might be deceptive or have ulterior motives.

FAQs

What does "hesitant to trust" mean?

The phrase "hesitant to trust" means being unwilling or reluctant to believe in the reliability, truthfulness, or good intentions of someone or something. It implies a degree of uncertainty or doubt.

How can I use "hesitant to trust" in a sentence?

You can use "hesitant to trust" to describe someone's reluctance to believe or rely on someone or something. For example, "Due to past experiences, he was "hesitant to trust" new colleagues."

What are some alternatives to "hesitant to trust"?

Alternatives to "hesitant to trust" include "reluctant to believe", "wary of trusting", or "doubtful about trusting", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "hesitant to trust" and "distrustful of"?

"Hesitant to trust" suggests a reluctance or uncertainty, while "distrustful of" implies a stronger feeling of suspicion and a belief that someone or something is unreliable or dishonest.