mistrustful
/'mis'trʌstful/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Feeling or showing a lack of trust; suspicious and wary: Describes a state of being openly distrustful, unwilling to place confidence in someone or something due to doubt or suspicion.
Usage
- The adjective "mistrustful" describes a person's attitude or feelings. It is typically used before a noun (attributive position) or after a linking verb like "be," "feel," or "seem" (predicative position).
- It often implies a deep-seated or habitual suspicion rather than a temporary doubt.
Examples
- Attributive (before a noun):
- She gave him a mistrustful glance. (This describes the nature of the glance.)
- The mistrustful customer checked the bill twice. (This describes the customer's characteristic attitude.)
- Predicative (after a linking verb):
- He became mistrustful of their intentions. (This describes his changed state.)
- The public is deeply mistrustful of the new policy. (This describes the public's feeling.)
Advanced Usage
- "mistrustful of": This is the most common construction, used to specify the target of the distrust.
- After the scandal, investors were mistrustful of the company's reports.
- "inherently/chronically/naturally mistrustful": These adverbs emphasize that the distrust is a fundamental or long-standing trait.
- The stray dog was inherently mistrustful of humans.
Variants and Related Words
- Mistrust (noun/verb): The noun form meaning "lack of trust" or the verb meaning "to have no trust in."
- Noun: There is a deep mistrust between the two groups.
- Verb: I mistrust his sudden generosity.
- Distrustful (adjective): A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "mistrustful."
- Untrusting (adjective): Similar in meaning, emphasizing a refusal to trust.
Synonyms
- Suspicious: Inclined to suspect or doubt.
- Wary: Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems.
- Cynical: Believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.
- Leery (informal): Cautious or wary due to realistic suspicions.
Antonyms
- Trusting: Inclined to believe that others are truthful and reliable.
- Confiding: Trusting enough to tell secrets or private thoughts.
- Gullible: Easily persuaded to believe something; credulous.
Idioms and Phrases
- To view with a mistrustful eye: To regard someone or something with suspicion.
- The committee viewed the proposal with a mistrustful eye.
- A mistrustful silence: A silence filled with suspicion and lack of trust.
- His explanation was met with a mistrustful silence.
Adjective
- openly distrustful and unwilling to confide