Mistrustful Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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mistrustful

[mɪsˈtrʌstfʊl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling

Feeling or showing a lack of trust in someone or something; suspicious.

Synonyms

distrustful, skeptical, suspicious, untrusting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mistrustful	When someone is generally wary or cautious because they believe others might be deceitful or unreliable. She gave a mistrustful glance at the stranger who approached her
distrustful	When expressing doubt based on a history or pattern of behavior, suggesting a stronger and more persistent lack of trust. He became distrustful of the company's promises after they failed to deliver on their past commitments
suspicious	When suspecting someone or something might be involved in something wrong or dishonest, often carrying a negative connotation. The security guard was suspicious of the man loitering near the back entrance
skeptical	When someone needs strong evidence to be convinced, often related to questioning claims or statements. The scientist was skeptical about the new theory until he saw the experimental data
untrusting	When someone has a general tendency to not believe others easily, often due to prior experiences. After being deceived several times, he became untrusting of people's intentions

Examples of usage

He gave her a mistrustful look.
She was mistrustful of strangers.
The dog was mistrustful of the new environment.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

behavior

Demonstrating a lack of trust or confidence in someone or something.

Synonyms

distrustful, skeptical, suspicious, untrusting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mistrustful	Describes someone who is generally wary or cautious about trusting others, often based on past experiences. She was mistrustful of strangers, always keeping her distance. After being deceived by her friend, Jane became mistrustful of everyone.
distrustful	Indicates a more active and explicit lack of trust in someone or something, often with a sense of doubt or uncertainty. His distrustful nature made it hard for him to form new relationships. The public became distrustful of the government after the scandal broke.
suspicious	Conveys a sense of alertness or caution, often suggesting a belief that something is wrong or not as it seems. Often has a negative connotation. He looked at the closed door with a suspicious expression. Her sudden wealth made her neighbors suspicious.
skeptical	Used when someone doubts the truth or validity of something, often requiring more evidence before believing. She was skeptical about the effectiveness of the new diet plan. The investors were skeptical of the startup's projected growth figures.
untrusting	Describes someone who is generally unwilling to trust others, often due to a fundamental belief or personal philosophy. He has been untrusting since the betrayal by his closest friend. The untrusting child refused to eat anything that wasn't prepared by his parents.

Examples of usage

His mistrustful behavior made it difficult to work with him.
The employee's mistrustful attitude affected the team dynamic.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Mistrustful behavior might stem from past experiences where individuals felt betrayed.
Psychologically, individuals may develop a mistrustful attitude as a defense mechanism against potential harm.
Studies suggest that those who are mistrustful often have difficulty forming relationships, impacting their emotional health.

Pop Culture

Literature often portrays mistrustful characters, such as in mystery novels where suspense builds around hidden motives.
Many movies feature a protagonist who is mistrustful, creating tension and conflict, as they navigate a web of deceit.
In popular songs, themes of mistrustful feelings in relationships often revolve around betrayal and heartbreak.

History

Throughout history, periods of political upheaval, like the Cold War, fostered a culture of mistrust between nations.
Famous historical figures, such as Machiavelli, highlighted the importance of understanding mistrust in political strategies.
In ancient civilizations, mistrust could lead to fallout between tribes or factions, significantly affecting alliances.

Sociology

Mistrustful attitudes can vary widely across cultures; some societies may have a higher tendency toward trust or suspicion.
Social networks greatly influence how mistrust is formed and expressed within communities.
Trust and mistrust are often studied in sociology to understand how group dynamics impact social cohesion or conflict.

Origin of 'mistrustful'

Main points about word origin

The word 'mistrustful' comes from 'mistrust', with 'mis-' meaning wrong or bad, and 'trust' meaning to believe in someone or something.
It first appeared in the English language in the early 16th century, capturing a feeling of doubt or suspicion.
Related words include 'distrust' and 'suspicious', which also indicate a lack of faith in someone's honesty.

The word 'mistrustful' is derived from the combination of 'mis-' meaning 'badly' or 'not' and 'trustful' meaning 'having trust or confidence'. It first appeared in the 17th century during a time when trustworthiness and loyalty were highly valued traits. Over time, the word has evolved to describe a state of suspicion or lack of trust in various situations.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,015 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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33012 igloo
33013 marquise
33014 futurist
33015 mistrustful
33016 emasculation
33017 pilloried
33018 irradiate
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