Definition

1. 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

1. openly distrustful and unwilling to confide