less mistrustful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less mistrustful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who has a reduced level of distrust or skepticism towards others or a situation. Example: "After several positive interactions, she became less mistrustful of her new colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

By comparison, they were less mistrustful of other IoT applications like autonomous vehicles and smart car technology, even though they have similar tracking capabilities.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Anyway, from the point of view of Britain as a dominating world power, a two-state solution had its attractions: wouldn't a pair of smaller and mutually mistrustful American republics be less troublesome than a single great big one?

The New Yorker

NATO's proposals for cooperation are less ambitious, and some members remain deeply mistrustful of Russian involvement, he said.

The New York Times

Larger countries, especially the new giants of the emerging world, face less threat of bullying, but an anarchic, mistrustful world would harm them all the same.

The Economist

Studies have shown that juries in capital cases are more likely to believe that a defendant's failure to testify indicates guilt, more hostile to the insanity defense, more mistrustful of defense attorneys and less concerned about the possibility of convicting innocent people than a random sample of the population.

The New York Times

An almost reclusive leader of few evident convictions, he is both mistrustful and, after two years in office, increasingly mistrusted.

The Economist

You become mistrustful.

The Guardian

She is also, I think, very mistrustful.

The Guardian - Film

I felt lonely, isolated and mistrustful.

The New York Times

The king faced a body profoundly mistrustful of his intentions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He comes across as quiet, reserved, mistrustful and occasionally moody.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less mistrustful" when you want to convey a nuanced reduction in distrust, rather than a complete absence of it. This phrase is particularly useful when describing a gradual shift in attitude or perception.

Common error

Avoid using "less mistrustful" when the intention is to express complete trust or confidence. In such cases, opt for stronger terms like "trusting" or "confident" to accurately reflect the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less mistrustful" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a reduced degree of distrust. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct. It describes a state where suspicion is diminished but not entirely absent.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less mistrustful" is a grammatically sound and usable expression denoting a reduction in distrust, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Although relatively rare, its appearance in reputable news sources like TechCrunch and The New York Times underscores its validity in describing nuanced shifts in perception. When aiming for clarity, consider the subtle differences between "less mistrustful" and alternatives such as "more trusting" or "less suspicious" to accurately convey the intended degree of confidence or skepticism. It is best practice to use this expression to denote a gradual shift in attitude, while avoiding its use when complete trust is implied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more trusting

Indicates a shift towards increased trust rather than a decrease in mistrust.

less suspicious

Directly counters suspicion, emphasizing reduced doubt.

more inclined to trust

Highlights a positive predisposition towards trust.

growing confidence

Focuses on the development of assurance and belief.

developing trust

Emphasizes the ongoing process of building trust.

becoming more trusting

Indicates a gradual transition to a state of increased trust.

gaining confidence

Focuses on the acquisition of assurance over time.

somewhat trusting

Suggests a mild or limited degree of trust.

showing more faith

Highlights an increased display of belief and confidence.

starting to trust

Indicates the initial phase of developing trust.

FAQs

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

You can use "less mistrustful" to describe a gradual reduction in someone's distrust. For example: "After several positive interactions, she became less mistrustful of her new colleagues."

What are some alternatives to saying "less mistrustful"?

You can use alternatives like "more trusting", "less suspicious", or "more inclined to trust" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "less mistrustful" or "more trusting"?

Both "less mistrustful" and "more trusting" are correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "Less mistrustful" focuses on the reduction of negative feelings, while "more trusting" highlights the increase in positive feelings of trust.

What's the difference between "less mistrustful" and "not mistrustful"?

"Less mistrustful" implies a partial reduction in distrust, whereas "not mistrustful" suggests a complete absence of distrust. The former indicates a gradual shift, while the latter indicates a definitive state.