distrustful

Intermediate (B1)

IPA: /dɪsˈtrʌstfəl/

KK: /dɪsˈtrʌstfəl/

adjective

Definition

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

Example

She was distrustful of his intentions after he lied to her.

Conversation

I feel like he's been acting a bit distrustful lately, don't you think?

Yeah, I noticed that too; it's odd for him.

I wonder if something happened that made him so distrustful.

Maybe he just needs some time to open up again.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

suspicious

skeptical

wary

Antonyms

trustful

confident

naive

Root Explanation

Distrustful → It is formed from "dis-" (meaning apart or away) and "trust" (from Old French *troster*, meaning to rely on or have confidence in) and "-ful" (meaning full of). The word "distrustful" means full of doubt or lacking trust in someone or something.

Memory Tip

Think of being 'away from' trust ('dis-') and feeling 'full of' doubt ('-ful'). This helps you remember that distrustful means to be full of doubt about trusting others.

Visually Confused Words

undistrustful

mistrustful

predistrustful

disgustful