distrustfulness
Doubting others' motives
Distrustfulness is the quality of being inclined to distrust—a habitual suspicion or wariness toward others' motives or reliability.
It suggests not just a single instance of doubt but a general tendency: His distrustfulness made it hard for him to form close friendships.
The trait may stem from experience or temperament.
Lack of firm belief
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- cynicismDistrust of human sincerity
- incredulityInability to accept something
dubiety · critical · scrutiny · debunking · challenging · dismissive · contrarian · scoffing
Irrational persecution fears
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- espionageCovert intelligence gathering
- interrogationFormal, probing examination
spy · snoop · eavesdrop · undercover · infiltrate · tail · shadow · track
State of keen awareness
- alertnessActive mental awareness
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
- watchfulnessCareful, sustained attention
- heedfulnessQuality of being alert
caution · prudence · guardedness · apprehension · trepidation · unease · nervousness · hesitancy
Breaking of trust
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- antipathyIngrained, intense aversion
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- disaffectionLoss of loyalty
estrangement · cynicism · bitterness · jaded · wounded · hurt · disappointment · disillusionment
doubt
Lack of firm belief
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- cynicismDistrust of human sincerity
incredulity · dubiety · critical · scrutiny · debunking · challenging · dismissive · contrarian · scoffing · analytical
paranoia
Irrational persecution fears
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- espionageCovert intelligence gathering
interrogation · spy · snoop · eavesdrop · undercover · infiltrate · tail · shadow · track · wiretap
vigilance
State of keen awareness
- alertnessActive mental awareness
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
- watchfulnessCareful, sustained attention
heedfulness · caution · prudence · guardedness · apprehension · trepidation · unease · nervousness · hesitancy · reluctance
betrayal
Breaking of trust
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
- antipathyIngrained, intense aversion
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
disaffection · estrangement · cynicism · bitterness · jaded · wounded · hurt · disappointment · disillusionment · jadedness
guarded
Wary and restrained
shields · walls · closed-off · withdrawn · reserved · standoffish · aloof · distant · detached · evasive
distrustfulnesstrust
Confidence in another
trustfulness · faith · confidence · credulousness · belief
distrustfulnessconfidence
Self-assurance or trust
assurance · security · certitude · self-assurance · ease
trust, trustworthy, mistrust, distrust, entrust, distrustful, untrustworthy, trustee, mistrustful