trustful

USAGE SUMMARY

The word trustful is technically correct and can be used in written English. It is an adjective which means having, characterized by, or expressing trust or confidence. For example: The teacher's trustful nature made the students feel more comfortable in her classroom.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Henry was naive; he was, on the one hand, overly trustful and, on the other, bitter against those who betrayed his trust.

Britannica

This evidence belies the idea that any given person is, by nature, consistently trustful or mistrustful.The authors refined their results in two ways.

The Economist

Hiroya Masuda, a former LDP minister for internal affairs who advises the Nomura Research Institute in Tokyo, says the main task will be to spread the fruits of Abenomics to rural and fishing communities.Though the LDP may be back in favour, little suggests Japanese voters are suddenly more trustful of politicians.

The Economist

As a young man Edward had been trustful and openhanded, but his experiences made him increasingly suspicious, leading him in 1478 to execute his brother George, duke of Clarence, who in former years had sided with Warwick against him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A far more trustful and committed attitude toward the powers that rule existence finds expression in the seemingly slightly later Babylonian creation story, Enuma elish, which may be dated to the later part of the 1st dynasty of Babylon (c. 1894 c. 1595 bce).

Encyclopedia Britannica

His look was disconcertingly trustful; he was used to being counselled.

The New Yorker

In fact, the South and the rest of the nation have one of those hot-blooded relationships — the major one, in American history — which never settle into either trustful intimacy or polite distance.

The New Yorker

"Putting stronger data protection standards in place will make individual citizens across Europe more trustful of the technology and its use".

The New York Times - Tech

Not only did the completed film, about men adapting to life after decades-long prison terms, help ease his own transition into society, "but even before she started filming she communicated a great deal, and I became very trustful".

The New York Times

He deposits her, trustful and uncomplaining, in a park on the way; when he returns, she is gone, apparently drowned in the nearby river.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But we are not over-trustful, for at the last minute, Mr. R. may decide that, like the creation of that other great artist, Senor Rivera, Crepes Suzette are un-American, and board them up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trustful" to describe someone who readily believes in the honesty and reliability of others. For example, "She had a "trustful" nature, always willing to see the best in people."

Common error

Avoid using "trustful" in situations where skepticism is warranted. Overusing the word can imply naivety or a lack of critical thinking. Instead, consider words like "optimistic" or "hopeful" when a degree of caution is necessary.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "trustful" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe someone or something that is characterized by or expresses trust. Ludwig AI's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to depict a trusting nature or attitude.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trustful" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective that describes a disposition to believe in the honesty and reliability of others. As evidenced by Ludwig, it appears across diverse sources, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While "trustful" is generally acceptable, being mindful of the specific context is important to avoid implying naivety. Related terms such as "trusting" or "having faith" may offer nuanced alternatives, as Ludwig AI details, in contexts where "trustful" might not be the perfect fit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

full of trust

Emphasizes the abundance of trust someone possesses.

having confidence in

Shifts the focus to the act of placing trust in a specific entity.

inclined to trust

Highlights a predisposition or tendency towards trusting others.

ready to believe

Highlights the willingness to accept something as true.

having faith

Focuses on the aspect of belief and confidence in someone or something.

open to believing

Similar to "ready to believe", but emphasizes a receptive attitude.

unsuspecting

Suggests a lack of awareness of potential deceit or danger, implying a trusting nature.

taking at face value

Describes accepting something without questioning its truthfulness.

gullible

Implies being easily persuaded to believe something; can sometimes carry a negative connotation.

easily deceived

Highlights the vulnerability of someone who is trustful.

FAQs

How can I use "trustful" in a sentence?

You can use "trustful" to describe someone who is inclined to believe others. For example, "The child had a "trustful" nature and readily accepted what adults told him."

What are some synonyms for "trustful"?

Synonyms for "trustful" include "trusting", "believing", and "unsuspecting". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to be "trustful" or "trusting"?

Both "trustful" and "trusting" are valid adjectives. "Trustful" emphasizes the quality of possessing trust, while "trusting" describes the act of placing trust in someone or something. The choice depends on the specific context.

What is the opposite of "trustful"?

The opposite of "trustful" is "distrustful" or "suspicious", indicating a lack of belief in the honesty or reliability of others.