mistrust of

USAGE SUMMARY

"mistrust of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of suspicion or lack of trust towards someone or something. Example: His mistrust of technology made him reluctant to purchase a computer.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

3. Mistrust of coalitions.

The Guardian - Opinion

But mistrust of the party remains widespread.

The New York Times

"This is simply a mistrust of government.

The New York Times

​"Bad economics and mistrust of market forces.

The Guardian

Through the years the most abiding mistrust of this gov't.

The New Yorker

"Mistrust of the judiciary has reached an explosive point.

The New York Times

Mexican rule had given them a mistrust of distant power.

The Economist

It would chip away at Syrians' entrenched mistrust of Israel.

The New York Times

"We shared a mistrust of psychiatry," Mr. Ronson writes.

The New York Times - Books

Chinese authorities were not alone in their mistrust of Hollywood.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A tradition of strategic mistrust of China is deeply ingrained.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mistrust of" to clearly convey a lack of confidence or belief in someone or something. Ensure the context provides a reason for this lack of trust.

Common error

Avoid using "mistrust of" when a more neutral term like "disagreement with" or "lack of understanding of" is more appropriate. Overstating the level of distrust can introduce unnecessary bias.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mistrust of" functions as a noun phrase acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It expresses a feeling of doubt or lack of confidence in something or someone, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mistrust of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express a lack of trust or confidence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across various contexts. It's most frequently found in news, scientific, and encyclopedia sources, with a generally neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure the context justifies the expressed doubt and avoid overstating the level of distrust when a more neutral term would suffice. While "distrust of" is a close synonym, "mistrust" generally implies a less intense feeling of suspicion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distrust of

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing mistrust.

lack of faith in

Emphasizes the absence of belief or confidence.

lack of confidence in

Focuses on the absence of assurance or belief in someone's abilities or qualities.

skepticism toward

Highlights a questioning attitude and doubt.

doubt concerning

Emphasizes uncertainty and lack of conviction.

suspicion about

Suggests a feeling that something is wrong or dishonest.

reservations about

Highlights specific concerns or objections.

wariness of

Indicates caution and a reluctance to trust.

cynicism regarding

Implies a belief that people are generally selfish and dishonest.

apprehension about

Focuses on anxiety or fear about something.

FAQs

How can I use "mistrust of" in a sentence?

You can use "mistrust of" to show a lack of confidence or belief in something. For example: "His mistrust of the government grew after the scandal."

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

While both "mistrust of" and "distrust of" convey a lack of trust, "distrust" often implies a stronger, more active feeling of suspicion than "mistrust."

What are some alternatives to "mistrust of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "lack of faith in", "skepticism toward", or "suspicion about".

Is "mistrust for" a correct alternative to "mistrust of"?

While "mistrust" can sometimes be followed by "for", it's less common and often sounds less natural than "mistrust of". "Mistrust" is typically used with "of" to indicate the object of the mistrust.