slightly mistrustful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly mistrustful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person who has a small degree of distrust or skepticism towards someone or something. Example: "Although she seemed friendly, I couldn't shake the feeling that she was slightly mistrustful of my intentions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In other words, Susan (who did know who I was, whereas Leslie did not) was intrigued and slightly puzzled by my offer of support but mistrustful of my intentions.

Huffington Post

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

I felt lonely, isolated and mistrustful.

The New York Times

She is also, I think, very mistrustful.

The Guardian - Film

Cynical, mistrustful source of Westminster gossip.

The Guardian

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

Faculty members, he said, were "routinely hostile and mistrustful".

The New Yorker

Fearful, mistrustful, stifled and sweating in our lives apart.

The Guardian

Karen is right to feel mistrustful and resentful of Tom.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly mistrustful" to express a nuanced degree of distrust, implying caution without outright condemnation. Consider the context to ensure the mildness of the emotion is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly mistrustful" when a stronger term like "distrustful" or "suspicious" is more accurate. "Slightly" implies a mild degree of skepticism, and overusing it can dilute the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly mistrustful" primarily functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the degree to which someone or something lacks trust. The adverb "slightly" modifies the adjective "mistrustful", indicating a mild or moderate level of distrust. Examples found by Ludwig show how it's used to describe a person's feelings or attitude.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly mistrustful" is a grammatically sound adjective phrase used to convey a mild degree of distrust or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While the phrase isn't overly common, it appears in a variety of contexts, including news, academic writing, and general discourse. Alternatives include "somewhat skeptical" and "a bit suspicious", offering writers different ways to express a similar sentiment. When using this phrase, it's crucial to consider the intended nuance and ensure that the mildness of the distrust aligns with the overall message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather distrustful

Uses "rather" instead of "slightly" to express a somewhat stronger degree of distrust.

moderately untrusting

Uses "untrusting" as a direct synonym for "mistrustful", modified by "moderately" to indicate the degree.

somewhat skeptical

Replaces "mistrustful" with "skeptical" and "slightly" with "somewhat", altering the nuance to focus on doubt rather than distrust.

a little skeptical

A more casual alternative, replacing "slightly" with "a little" while maintaining the sense of skepticism.

a bit suspicious

Uses "suspicious" instead of "mistrustful", emphasizing a feeling of doubt or apprehension.

not entirely trusting

Expresses a lack of complete trust without explicitly stating strong mistrust.

mildly cynical

Substitutes "mistrustful" with "cynical", shifting the focus to a belief that people are generally selfish.

guardedly wary

Replaces "mistrustful" with "wary", highlighting caution and watchfulness, and uses "guardedly" for added emphasis.

hesitantly doubtful

Emphasizes the hesitant nature of the doubt, suggesting a reluctance to fully embrace mistrust.

somewhat apprehensive

Replaces "mistrustful" with "apprehensive", focusing on a feeling of anxiety or unease.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly mistrustful" to describe someone who has a mild level of distrust or suspicion towards someone or something. For example, "Although she smiled, I felt she was "slightly mistrustful" of my intentions."

What are some synonyms for "slightly mistrustful"?

Alternatives include "somewhat skeptical", "a bit suspicious", or "mildly cynical", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a slightly mistrustful"?

No, the correct phrasing is "slightly mistrustful". The indefinite article "a" is not needed before the adverb-adjective combination.

What's the difference between "slightly mistrustful" and "deeply mistrustful"?

"Slightly mistrustful" indicates a mild level of distrust, while "deeply mistrustful" suggests a much stronger and more profound lack of trust. The choice depends on the intensity of the feeling you wish to express.