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Mistrusting: meaning, definitions and examples

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mistrusting

 

[ mɪsˈtrʌstɪŋ ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

lack of trust

Mistrusting describes a feeling or attitude of doubt or suspicion towards someone or something. It signifies a lack of trust, often arising from past experiences or an instinctual feeling about a person’s intentions. Mistrusting can prevent positive relationships and interactions, leading individuals to constantly second-guess others. This term is often used in contexts involving personal relationships, but it can also apply in professional settings.

Synonyms

apprehensive, distrustful, skeptical, suspicious

Examples of usage

  • She had a mistrusting attitude towards new colleagues.
  • His mistrusting nature made it hard for him to form friendships.
  • Mistrusting the source of information, he sought verification.
  • Despite the assurance, her mistrusting mind lingered on doubts.

Translations

Translations of the word "mistrusting" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desconfiado

🇮🇳 अविश्वासी

🇩🇪 misstrauisch

🇮🇩 tidak percaya

🇺🇦 недовірливий

🇵🇱 nieufny

🇯🇵 不信の

🇫🇷 méfiant

🇪🇸 desconfiado

🇹🇷 güvensiz

🇰🇷 불신하는

🇸🇦 غير موثوق

🇨🇿 nedůvěřivý

🇸🇰 nedôverčivý

🇨🇳 不信任的

🇸🇮 neufn

🇮🇸 ótraustur

🇰🇿 сенімсіз

🇬🇪 დარწმუნებული არ არის

🇦🇿 etimad etməyən

🇲🇽 desconfiado

Etymology

The word 'mistrust' originates from the combination of the prefix 'mis-' meaning 'badly' or 'wrongly', and the word 'trust', which itself comes from the Old Norse word 'traust', meaning 'to trust' or 'to have confidence'. The first documented use of 'mistrust' dates back to around the 14th century. Over time, the concept of mistrust has evolved, capturing feelings of doubt and suspicion toward an individual, group, or idea. The addition of the suffix '-ing' creates the adjective 'mistrusting', indicating a continuous or habitual state of doubt. Mistrust can stem from various factors such as betrayal, lack of transparency, or past experiences that led individuals to be cautious of others. This term has found a prominent place in discussions about relationships, social interactions, and even political discourse, highlighting the importance of trust in human connections.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,823, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.