the least trustworthy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the least trustworthy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is considered to be the most unreliable or untrustworthy among a group. Example: "In our survey, the results showed that among the participants, John was rated as the least trustworthy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Who is the least trustworthy?

The New York Times

Politicians are considered the least trustworthy.

The Economist

* * * Nadine is one of the least trustworthy people I know.

The New Yorker

He is the least trustworthy person in the Capital.

Independent

She trusted the least trustworthy people in the world," he added.

The Guardian

The guidelines list four categories of documents that can be used as evidence of citizenship, from the most reliable to the least trustworthy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

They act as if they had seen the original movie, and, on the spot, they decide to trust Josh Lucas, who plays the inspirational Hackman role — that's Josh Lucas, whose rakish smile and quicksilver temper make him perhaps the least trustworthy-looking actor in movies today.

The New Yorker

Neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies have demonstrated a role for the amygdala in processing the perceived trustworthiness of faces, but it remains uncertain whether its responses are linear (with the greatest response to the least trustworthy-looking faces), or quadratic (with increased fMRI signal for the dimension extremes).

Neuropsychologia

His job, to smear Al Gore, was covered in Peter Marshall's BBC documentary Digging the Dirt, and viewers got the impression, which over the years has proven correct, that he is one of the slimiest and least trustworthy rogues to mount the political stage in our lifetime.

Huffington Post

Mr. Perle and Mr. Frum argue that America "should force European governments to choose between Paris and Washington," and they assert that Iran is "the world's least trustworthy regime," ominously adding, "The regime must go".

The New York Times - Books

Polls show that a majority of Bolivians rank the police as first or second among the most corrupt and least trustworthy institutions in the country.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the least trustworthy", ensure the context clearly establishes the group or set from which the comparison is being made. Avoid ambiguity by specifying who or what is being compared.

Common error

Avoid using "the least trustworthy" when a milder term like "unreliable" or "questionable" would be more appropriate. Overusing strong language can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the least trustworthy" functions as a superlative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate the lowest level of trustworthiness within a defined set. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing entities deemed most unreliable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

19%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the least trustworthy" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the entity with the lowest level of reliability or integrity compared to others. Ludwig AI confirms this. While its usage is not exceptionally common, it finds application across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the context makes it evident to whom or what the comparison is being made. Remember to avoid hyperbole and consider milder alternatives like "most unreliable" or "least credible" if a strong statement is unwarranted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most untrustworthy

A direct synonym, emphasizing the absence of trustworthiness.

most unreliable

Focuses on the lack of reliability rather than trust.

least reliable

Highlights the lack of dependability.

least dependable

Emphasizes a lack of consistency and support.

least credible

Emphasizes a lack of believability.

most dubious

Suggests a strong sense of doubt or suspicion.

most suspect

Implies something is questionable or potentially dangerous.

most deceitful

Focuses on the act of deception.

most disreputable

Highlights a bad reputation or lack of honor.

most treacherous

Highlights the potential for betrayal.

FAQs

How can I use "the least trustworthy" in a sentence?

You can use "the least trustworthy" to describe someone or something that is considered the most unreliable or untrustworthy among a group. For example: "In our survey, the results showed that among the participants, John was rated as "the least trustworthy".

What are some alternatives to "the least trustworthy"?

Alternatives include "most unreliable", "most untrustworthy", or "least reliable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "most untrustworthy" or "the least trustworthy"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "the least trustworthy" implies a comparison within a specific group, whereas "most untrustworthy" can describe a general quality without a direct comparison.

What makes someone or something "the least trustworthy"?

It indicates that, compared to others, they or it have exhibited more behaviors or characteristics associated with unreliability, deceit, or lack of integrity.