mistrust

USAGE SUMMARY

"mistrust" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to express a feeling of doubt or lack of trust in someone or something. For example: When the company failed to provide an explanation for the mistreatment of their employees, mistrust began to build among customers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Public mistrust of government is high in Britain, and deference to the political elite has also collapsed as economic woes erode living standards.

The Guardian

Yet nothing contributed more to the division, mistrust and implosion of our society in the north than Sinn Fein and the IRA's refusal to heed the cries of the people of Ireland to cease their violence.

The Guardian

The victims of phone hacking, where relationships were destroyed by the apparent betrayal of confidences, experienced the same kind of corruption that is inflicted on debate by the troll factories' capacity to sow mistrust and foster polarisation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just days earlier, the director of the FBI, James Comey, acknowledged in a major speech on race and law enforcement that Americans must accept that racism is the country's "cultural inheritance" and that police officers must "get out of their cars" to overcome deep mistrust between minority communities and officers.

The Guardian

That alone may be enough to put the frighteners on the Portillo camp where allegations of whispering disloyalty towards Mr Hague have fostered mistrust of the frontrunner for the Tory leader's job.

The Guardian

Altering the law without proper public debate, he said, risked "building up unnecessary mistrust".

The Guardian

It is the educated women who might one day bring resolution and closure to the years of hate and mistrust.

The Guardian - Music

Yes yes, blah blah blah, here's the bit where Washington and Wahlberg work out their mistrust by having a bit of a wrestle.

The Guardian - Film

Abdullah's sons, Prince Mitab, head of the National Guard, and Prince Mishaal, governor of Mecca, both mistrust Crown Prince Salman and his "Sudairi" wing of the family, named after one of Ibn Saud's favourite wives.

The Guardian

The inspections, carried out only a few days into the start of the school year, highlighted weak management, mistrust among staff and continuing gender segregation among students at some of the schools, as well as reactions from parents at collective Christian worship being imposed on the largely Muslim student body.

The Guardian

The regional Spokesman-Review newspaper ran an editorial warning that Arfee's death had left "a festering wound of public mistrust".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mistrust", be specific about the reason for the lack of trust to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "There is mistrust", specify "There is mistrust due to the lack of transparency".

Common error

Avoid using "mistrust" too broadly without providing context or justification. Overgeneralization can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations. Instead, focus on the specific actions or situations that cause the lack of trust.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "mistrust" is to act as both a noun denoting a lack of trust or confidence and as a verb expressing a feeling of doubt or suspicion towards someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mistrust" is a versatile term functioning as both a noun and a verb, denoting a lack of trust or confidence. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability in English writing. Its usage spans various contexts, from formal news reports to everyday conversations, with a primary communicative purpose of expressing doubt or skepticism. While synonyms like "suspicion" and "distrust" exist, understanding the nuances of "mistrust" and avoiding overgeneralization ensures clear and effective communication. Its prevalence in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist underscores its relevance in contemporary discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distrust

A direct synonym, indicating a lack of faith or belief in someone or something.

suspicion

Focuses on the feeling of doubt or questioning someone's motives or honesty.

lack of confidence

Emphasizes the absence of certainty or faith in someone or something, rather than active suspicion.

doubt

Expresses uncertainty or lack of conviction about something.

skepticism

Implies a questioning attitude and a tendency to doubt claims or assertions.

lack of faith

Highlights the absence of belief or trust, often in a religious or moral context.

wariness

Implies caution and alertness to potential dangers or problems.

cynicism

Suggests a belief that people are generally motivated by selfishness.

unease

Highlights a feeling of discomfort or anxiety about a situation or person.

apprehension

Focuses on anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen.

FAQs

How can I use "mistrust" in a sentence?

You can use "mistrust" to describe a feeling of doubt or lack of confidence in someone or something. For example: "The public's "distrust" of the government is growing." or "I "distrust" his motives after he lied to me."

What's the difference between "mistrust" and "distrust"?

"Mistrust" and "distrust" are often used interchangeably to describe a lack of trust. However, some might perceive "mistrust" as a slightly stronger or more active form of "distrust".

What can I say instead of "mistrust"?

You can use alternatives like "suspicion", "skepticism", "doubt" or "lack of confidence" depending on the specific context.

Is "mistrust" a noun or a verb?

"Mistrust" can be used as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to the feeling of not trusting someone or something. As a verb, it means to have a lack of trust in someone or something.