overly trusting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overly trusting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has an excessive amount of trust in others, often leading to potential negative consequences. Example: "Her overly trusting nature made her vulnerable to manipulation by those who did not have her best interests at heart."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

He thinks we Britons are an overly trusting lot.

The Guardian - Tech

After the Orange revolution Ukrainians were overly trusting of their new leaders; by contrast, after the more recent one they remain sceptical and critical.

The Economist

Anne Scripps Douglas, a small woman whose dark hair was swept back in a bun, struck her friends as someone who was overly trusting and needed their protection.

The New York Times

Vladimir Putin, given a free pass by Bush and triumphant in Russian elections, will continue to ship nuclear fuel and scientific know-how to Iran, making it easier for those ayatollahs to break their promises to overly trusting Europeans.

The New York Times

Mr. Colbert then said Mr. Smith's "greatest betrayal of all was the revelation that Goldman Sachs derisively called their overly trusting clients 'muppets.'" Jay Leno, too, brought up the Muppets reference on his NBC late-night show, pointing out that a CNN guest who was brought on to talk about the Op-Ed bore more than a passing resemblance to a Muppet himself.

The New York Times

Predictably, bad actors can take advantage of the overly trusting protocol in what's known as a "route hijack".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

That leaves us overly reliant on the good offices of the intelligence services; too trusting in their commitment to parliamentary oversight.

The Guardian

As we talked about interaction after I was done being their pastor, we went from being painfully rigid, trying to think of every possible interaction that might happen to being overly general and just trusting that folks would figure it out.

Huffington Post

Many in Congress see the administration as overly inclined to trust Iran, and have criticized the White House's good-faith lifting of debilitating economic sanctions.

Huffington Post

Most psychological research shows that we are all very much overly confident when it comes to trusting our own reasoning ability, our own perception, our own memory, all kinds of stuff.

The Guardian

Carly Beth Caldwell is a naive, timid and overly-trusting 11-year-old girl who is afraid of pretty much everything.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character in fiction, use "overly trusting" to highlight a potential flaw or vulnerability that can drive the plot.

Common error

Don't assume that being "overly trusting" is always negative; in some contexts, it can represent a positive trait like faith in humanity or willingness to give others a chance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overly trusting" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating a quality or characteristic of being excessively inclined to trust. Examples from Ludwig show it describing people, behaviors, or systems.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

16%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overly trusting" is a grammatically sound and frequently used descriptor, indicating a tendency to trust others to an excessive degree. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and usability, and analysis of usage patterns reveals its prevalence in news and media, as well as on wikis. While not inherently negative, the phrase often suggests a vulnerability or potential for exploitation. When using this phrase, it's helpful to consider the specific context and whether alternatives like "excessively trusting" or "naively confiding" might be more appropriate. Remember that the term can be used to highlight character flaws or potentially positive personality traits.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively trusting

Emphasizes the degree to which trust is extended.

unduly credulous

Highlights a readiness to believe without sufficient evidence.

naively confiding

Suggests a lack of awareness or experience in entrusting others.

too easily deceived

Focuses on the potential for manipulation due to excessive trust.

overly gullible

Emphasizes being easily tricked or fooled.

inordinately reliant

Highlights an excessive dependence on the honesty of others.

unquestioningly believing

Indicates a lack of critical evaluation of information received.

unsuspiciously open

Conveys a lack of caution or wariness in interactions.

indiscriminately trusting

Implies trust is given without careful selection or discernment.

foolishly optimistic

Suggests that the trust stems from an imprudent outlook.

FAQs

How can I use "overly trusting" in a sentence?

You can use "overly trusting" to describe a person or entity that trusts too easily or too much. For example, "Her "overly trusting" nature made her vulnerable to scams."

What is the difference between "overly trusting" and "naive"?

"Overly trusting" implies that someone trusts more than is prudent, while "naive" suggests a lack of experience or knowledge. An "overly trusting" person may know the risks but still trust, while a naive person may not be aware of the risks.

Are there situations where being "overly trusting" is a positive trait?

While often seen as a weakness, being "overly trusting" can be positive in building relationships and fostering collaboration, provided there are safeguards in place. It showcases a willingness to give others the benefit of the doubt, encouraging reciprocity and mutual "trust".

What can I say instead of "overly trusting" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider using "excessively credulous", "unduly confiding", or "inordinately reliant". These options convey a similar meaning but with a more sophisticated "tone".