less trustworthy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less trustworthy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is not as reliable or credible as another person or thing. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, I found that the source was less trustworthy than I initially thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These men, he explained, were even less trustworthy "than a Jew".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Celebrity is widely understood to be more chimerical than fame, less respectable and less trustworthy.

The Guardian - Opinion

"And this implies that ugly people are assumed to be less trustworthy and less intelligent".

The New York Times

The user reviews were helpful, too, although less trustworthy than those on OpenTable.

The New York Times - Tech

It would say that British politicians are even less trustworthy than we thought.

Independent

And from both corporations and Wall Street, there has long been a pattern of increasingly less trustworthy disclosures.

The New York Times

The behaviour of the Soviet Writer's Union is increasingly less trustworthy as it takes part in the prosecution of Solzhenitsyn".

The Guardian

After all, the only person less trustworthy than an African-American woman was an African-American lesbian woman.

The New York Times

Increased complexity is not the only problem – forecasts are also made less trustworthy because of a feedback loop.

The Guardian - Money

But he came across as more arrogant, less trustworthy and possibly less honest, than either of the other two candidates.

The Guardian

They would be considered far less trustworthy, and there was hardly any chance that the Mossad would reveal to non-Israelis some of its assassination unit's best methods.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid generalizations; specify why someone or something is "less trustworthy". Provide concrete examples or evidence to support your claim and add credibility to your point.

Common error

Be cautious when using "less trustworthy" without qualification. Ensure your evidence justifies the diminished trust, rather than presenting it as an absolute judgment. Overstating can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less trustworthy" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a lower degree of trustworthiness relative to something else. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

27%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less trustworthy" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating a reduced level of reliability or credibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's important to consider the specific context and nuance you wish to convey when using this phrase, and to ensure your claims are supported by evidence. Alternatives like "more dubious" or "less reliable" might be more appropriate depending on the situation. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media, scientific, and academic sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as trustworthy

A more explicit and direct rephrasing, maintaining a similar level of formality.

less dependable

Highlights the inability to be counted on or relied upon.

less reliable

Emphasizes a lack of dependability in terms of consistency or performance.

less credible

Shifts the focus to the believability or plausibility of something or someone.

cannot be fully trusted

Implies a reservation or limitation on the degree of trust that can be placed.

more dubious

Focuses on raising doubts about the integrity or validity, implying a stronger degree of uncertainty.

less reputable

Indicates a damaged or questionable standing in the eyes of others.

of questionable reliability

Presents the concept as a matter of potential unreliability rather than a direct statement.

of uncertain integrity

Focuses on the moral or ethical soundness, suggesting a lack of honesty.

subject to suspicion

Highlights that someone or something is regarded with distrust or skepticism.

FAQs

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

You can use "less trustworthy" to describe someone or something that is not as reliable or credible as another. For example, "The witness's testimony was considered "less trustworthy" due to inconsistencies in their account."

What are some alternatives to "less trustworthy"?

Alternatives include "more dubious", "less reliable", or "less credible", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "less trustworthy" or "not as trustworthy"?

Both "less trustworthy" and "not as trustworthy" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference, though "less trustworthy" may sound slightly more formal.

What makes something or someone "less trustworthy"?

Something or someone might be considered "less trustworthy" due to a history of dishonesty, a lack of supporting evidence, conflicting information, or a perceived bias. These factors can reduce confidence in their reliability or credibility.