mistrust
Doubt someone's motives
Mistrust is doubt about someone's honesty, reliability, or intentions.
It implies suspicion without necessarily having proof: Years of broken promises bred deep mistrust.
As a verb, to mistrust is to regard with suspicion: She mistrusted his motives from the start.
Mistrust suggests wariness rather than outright accusation—you haven't caught them lying, but you're not convinced they're telling the truth either.
Disposition toward doubt
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- incredulityInability to accept something
- cynicismDistrust of human sincerity
hesitation · reservation · misgiving · qualm · dubiousness · uncertainty · unbelief · dubiety
Deliberate violation of trust
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
- disloyaltyBreach of allegiance
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
- double-crossTreacherous deception of partner
perfidy · breach · unfaithfulness · traitor · defection · letdown · disappointment · violation
Irrational persecution fears
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
- allegationAssertion lacking proof
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
whisper · spy · surveillance · eavesdrop · snoop · interrogate · scrutiny · watchfulness
Cautious distrust
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- guardednessDefensive emotional reserve
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
skeptical · defensive · reserved · hesitant · careful · protective · tentative · cagey
Authority over a state
- mediaInformation distribution channels
- politiciansElected government representatives
- corporationsLegally incorporated business entities
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
establishment · banks · police · pharmaceutical · elections · propaganda · cover-up · corruption
skepticism
Disposition toward doubt
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- incredulityInability to accept something
cynicism · hesitation · reservation · misgiving · qualm · dubiousness · uncertainty · unbelief · dubiety · wariness
treachery
Deliberate violation of trust
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
- disloyaltyBreach of allegiance
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
double-cross · perfidy · breach · unfaithfulness · traitor · defection · letdown · disappointment · violation · duplicity
paranoia
Irrational persecution fears
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
- allegationAssertion lacking proof
rumor · whisper · spy · surveillance · eavesdrop · snoop · interrogate · scrutiny · watchfulness · side-eye
wariness
Cautious distrust
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- guardednessDefensive emotional reserve
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
prudence · skeptical · defensive · reserved · hesitant · careful · protective · tentative · cagey · reticent
government
Authority over a state
- mediaInformation distribution channels
- politiciansElected government representatives
- corporationsLegally incorporated business entities
authority · establishment · banks · police · pharmaceutical · elections · propaganda · cover-up · corruption · accountability
- mis- wordsmisbehave, miscall, miscount, misdeed, misfire
- doubtdoubt, doubts, doubting, doubtful, skepticism
- personal strugglesself-doubt, loneliness, insecurity, anxiety, depression
- warinesscaution, wariness, guardedness, vigilance, watchfulness
- distrustsuspicion, doubt, wariness, skepticism, disbelief
- suspicionsuspicion, suspiciousness, doubt, wary, leery
mistrusttrust
Confidence in another
confidence · faith · reliance · trustfulness · certainty
mistrustbelief
Trust held as true
credence · acceptance · credulity · credulousness · gullibility